Browsing by Subject "Wrong way driving"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Directional Rumble Strips for Reducing Wrong-Way-Driving Freeway Entries
    (Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2019-07) Luo, Albert C; Guo, Chuan; Xing, Siyuan; Xu, Yeyin; Guo, Siyu; Liu, Chuanping
    This report presents evaluation results of directional rumble strips (DRS) designed to deter wrong-way (WW) freeway entries. Mathematical models have been built to identify high-risk locations of WWD. Based on the model, one off-ramp, exit 41 northbound on I-70 was found to have a WW entry probability of 55%. 96 hours of video data were recorded at the chosen off-ramp. Then one pattern of DRS (D3) was implemented on the chosen location with the help of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Sound and vibration data were recorded and compared between RW and WW directions for speed ranging from 15 mph to 30 mph. Another 96 hours of video data were recorded after the implementation. The analysis of before and after implementation data showed that the DRS cannot reduce the probability of WWD, but it can warn WW drivers and reduce their speed, which will significantly reduce WWD accidents.
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    Directional Rumble Strips for Reducing Wrong-Way-Driving Freeway Entries
    (Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2018-02) Zhou, Huaguo; Xue, Chennan; Yang, Lingling; Luo, Albert
    This report presents the evaluation results of five types of directional rumble strips (DRS) based on extensive field tests conducted at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) in Auburn, Alabama. The ultimate goal of this study is to develop a low-cost safety countermeasure by capturing a driver’s attention through elevated invehicle sound and vibration for wrong-way (WW) driving while providing normal sound and vibration levels for right-way (RW) driving. Tests of sound and vibration generated by different DRS were performed with full-size passenger vehicles for six categories of speed: 10, 15, 20, 25, 35, and 45 mph. For each type of DRS concept design, three initial tests were performed with vehicles traveling on normal pavement (ambient condition), followed by three to five tests on the DRS in both WW and RW directions. The study identified three final design patterns (C, D Configuration 3, and E.1) that can generate elevated sound and vibration for WW drivers. The field test results also showed that speed had a significant impact on sound and vibration. Considering that travelling speed will be different on DRS by WW and RW drivers, additional speed studies were conducted to estimate the WW and RW driving speeds at the proposed DRS implementation spots on off-ramps. Based on the results, recommendations were developed to implement the final three DRS designs on off-ramps that can achieve the maximum safety benefits by alerting WW drivers through in-vehicle elevated sound and vibration.
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    Field Implementation of Direction Rumble Strips for Deterring Wrong-Way Entries
    (Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2019-07) Zhou, Huaguo; Xue, Chennan
    This report presents the field implementation results of three directional rumble strip (DRS) patterns designed to deter wrong-way (WW) freeway entries. Southbound off-ramps at Exits 208 and 284 on I-65 in Alabama were selected for implementation because they were ranked as high-risk locations by a network screening tool developed by Auburn University. Three patterns (D3, C, and E.1) were recommended for field implementation based on the results of a previous project. Pattern D3 was installed at the off-ramp terminal near the stop bar or yield line. Pattern C was implemented at the segment between the terminal and ramp curve. Pattern E.1 was placed on the tangent part before the ramp curve. WW incident and traffic speed data before and after the implementation were collected using cameras and magnetic sensors, respectively. Field driving tests were conducted to collect sound and vibration data at various speed categories for both RW and WW directions. Before and after studies evaluated the effectiveness of the DRS patterns in reducing wrong way driving (WWD) incidents and traffic speeds on off-ramps. Sound and vibration analyses quantified the differences between right way (RW) and WW drivers’ perceptions. Results showed that the number of WWD incidents and average driving distances were significantly reduced after implementing all of the DRS. The results confirmed that WWDs can perceive elevated sound and vibrations when passing the DRS. The DRS can also reduce the 85th percentile, mean, and standard deviations of off-ramp traffic speeds. A general guideline was developed for implementing different DRS to deter WW freeway entries.