Thorson—Traffic Control Devices Pooled Fund Study

Traffic Control Devices
Pooled Fund Study Update
Presented by
Scott Thorson, PE PTOE
Traffic Engineering Section Chief
Nevada DOT
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2006 SCOTE Meeting
Overland Park, KS
June 26th
Traffic Control Devices
Pooled Fund Study
Co-Chairs:
Scott Thorson, Nevada DOT
Scott Wainwright, FHWA
Technical Liaisons:
Joe Moyer, FHWA
Bryan Katz, SAIC
Guiding Principles
Š Assemble a consortium of state and local entities,
organizations, and FHWA to:
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Identify issues that are common among TCDs
Select novel TCD concepts to test and evaluate
Determine methods of evaluation
Initiate & monitor projects intended to evaluate TCDs
Disseminate results
Assist in MUTCD incorporation
TCD PFS Members
Š State DOTs
California DOT
Florida DOT
Georgia DOT
Iowa DOT
Illinois DOT
Kansas DOT
Mississippi DOT
Missouri DOT
Nebraska DOT
Š FHWA
New Jersey DOT
Nevada DOT
New York DOT
North Carolina DOT
Pennsylvania DOT
South Carolina DOT
Texas DOT
Wisconsin DOT
Office of Operations
Office of Safety
Eastern Federal Lands
Š Local DOTs
Los Angeles DOT
Broward County DOT
Š Organizations
American Traffic
Safety Services
Association (ATSSA)
Project Selection Process
Š Project Proposals Submitted to TCD PFS
Š Initial Downselect
(National Urgency, Safety, Wide Applicability, and Acceptability)
Š Remaining Projects Selected on:
- Proposed Evaluation Technique
- Cost
- Likelihood of Successful Evaluation
Š Final Selection Based on Available Funds for
Sponsorship
Completed Projects
Š Pavement Markings for Speed Reduction
Š Colors for Transponder-Controlled Tollbooth
Lanes
Š Navigation Signing for Roundabouts
Š Pedestrian Countdown vs. Flashing Don’t Walk
Pavement Markings
for Speed Reduction
Research Goals
Š Determine a low-cost
pavement marking treatment
with a high probability of
success
Š Determine the effectiveness
of the marking through a
field evaluation at three
different locations
Texas
New York
Mississippi
Pavement Markings
for Speed Reduction
Results
Š Peripheral Transverse Lines as a
Pavement Marking Pattern have
the ability to significantly reduce
vehicle speeds (4 mph reduction in
average speeds in New York and 5
mph reduction in Mississippi)
Š Appear to be most effective with
unfamiliar drivers and in situations
where roadway geometry requires
a reduction in speed
Colors for TransponderControlled Tollbooth Lanes
Research Goals
Š Develop a set of sign color
recommendations for
Transponder-Controlled
Tollbooth Lanes
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Background Color
Font Color
Overlay Color with
Pictographs
Colors for TransponderControlled Tollbooth Lanes
Results
Š Consistent with current
practice, signs with a green
background and white font
was easiest to see at larger
distances by research
participants.
Navigation Signing for
Roundabouts
Research Goals
Š Determine an appropriate sign
type for motorists at two lane
roundabouts to give information
on lane choice and exit leg choice
Š Investigate Conventional,
Diagrammatic, New York, and
Maryland type roundabout signing
in conjunction with pavement
markings
Navigation Signing for
Roundabouts
Results
Š Conventional and
Diagrammatic Signs were
more easily understood than
the New York and Maryland
style signs
Š Further investigations into
turn restriction markings is
recommended
Pedestrian Countdown vs.
Flashing Don’t Walk
Research Goals
Š Will removal of the flashing
hand:
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Improve pedestrian
comprehension of the
pedestrian change interval?
Allow pedestrians to cross
more safely and successfully?
Pedestrian Countdown vs.
Flashing Don’t Walk
Results
Š Experimental signal may lead to
fewer confusions than the standard
countdown signal
Š Results of the study do not
provide dramatic evidence in
favor of, or against, the use of the
experimental countdown rather
than the standard countdown
signal
Current Projects
Š Evaluation of Selected Symbol Signs
Š Stutter Flash for Flashing Beacons at
Unsignalized Pedestrian Crossings
Evaluation of
Selected Symbol Signs
Research Goals
Š Evaluate a series of symbols to
determine the best symbol for various
information based on driver
comprehension and legibility
Research Tasks:
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Review of Symbols Used
Determine Alternatives
Comprehension Test
Conspicuity and Legibility Test
Final Report
Stutter Flash for Flashing Beacons at
Unsignalized Pedestrian Crossings
Research Goals
Š Can the effectiveness of the overhead
flashing beacon be enhanced by
replacing the traditional slow flashing
incandescent lamps with rapid flashing
LED lamps?
2006 Selected Projects
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Truck Electrification Symbols
Potential Benefits of Enlarged Pedestrian Signals
Diagrammatic Freeway Guide Sign Design
Lane Restriction Marking and Signing for
Roundabouts
Š Warning Sign Legends for Emergency Incidents
Truck Electrification Symbols
Research Goals
Š Determine a symbol sign to let
truck drivers know where truck
electrification facilities are
located.
Potential Benefits of Enlarged
Pedestrian Signals
Research Goals
Š Determine visibility requirements
of enlarging pedestrian signals at
locations with long crosswalks.
Diagrammatic Freeway
Guide Sign Design
Research Goals
Š Evaluate alternatives for
diagrammatic freeway guide
signs to determine which sign
alternatives perform best with
varying scenarios (number of
through lanes, number of exiting
lanes, option lanes, horizontal
curvature)
Lane Restriction Marking and
Signing for Roundabouts
Research Goals
Š Evaluate traditional versus
fishhook-style signs and
markings to determine their
effectiveness.
Warning Sign Legends for
Emergency Incidents
Research Goals
Š Determine warning sign legends
that are required for first
responders where only a
minimum number of signs can be
used.
Questions?
For further information, contact:
Bryan Katz
Joe Moyer
(202) 493-3388
(202) 493-3370
[email protected]
[email protected]