Browsing by Author "Vercruyssen, Max"
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Item Lighted Guidance Devices: Intelligent Work Zone Traffic Control(Minnesota Department of Transportation, 1995-06) Vercruyssen, Max; Williams, Gayna; Wade, Michael G.Annually, thousands of highway workers risk serious injury and death from drivers who enter work zones too fast or accelerate after entering the zone and then, because of their excess speed relative to the environmental limitations, have insufficient time to avoid accidents in the zone. Slow-moving vehicles are a problem in reducing traffic flow. This research investigated the effectiveness of a system of pulsing lights, that gave the illusion of movement (Phi phenomenon), in causing drivers to unknowingly synchronize their vehicle speed with the light pulses. Forty drivers participated: 20 young (10 female, 10 male; 21-42 years) and 20 older adults (10 female, 10 male; 55-87 years). Each participant made 15 passes through the work zone: a control pass with stationary white lights, two control passes with no lights, and 12 passes of test conditions -- 2 colors (red & green) x 3 apparent pulse speeds (-80, 0, & +80 mph) x 2 zone entry speeds (40 & 70 mph). Age, sex, and zone entry speed differences were found, but overall, (1) backward moving lights (-80 mph) caused drivers to reduce their vehicle speed, (2) forward moving lights (+80 mph) caused drivers to increase their vehicle speed, (3) stationary light and control lights had little or no effect, and (4) green produced stronger effects than red. Backward moving lights caused the greatest slowing in the young while forward moving lights caused the greatest acceleration in the old males and young females.Item Variable Message Signage Content: Survey Test of Meaning and Simulation Test of Usability(1997-09) Vercruyssen, MaxSuccessful communication with motorists concerning the preseance and constraints of the roadway ahead is critical for improving safety and traffic flow in work zones. The content of messages presented on static and variable message signs (VMSs) is especially important given that drivers must detect, comprehend, and translate signage information while being preoccupied to some degree with the task of driving their vehicle. A survey study was conducted as a preliminary investigation into the information content of VMSs and other real time motorist information displays used in road work zones. Four VMSs were used in the survey. The subject pool consisted of 75 volunteers (approximate mean age=45 years) who stopped at a rest area on Interstate 35W (Northbound) just South of Rush City, Minnesota. Two questions were asked about each sign concerning meaning and delay of journey. Results showed that drivers could understand the content of a message, but could not always predict the consequences of the information. Variations of three signs from this study were adapted for use in the simulation experiment.