Truck-Mounted Changeable Message Signs with Symbols for Work Zone Operations

2012 ◽  
Vol 2272 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke R. Ullman ◽  
Nada D. Trout ◽  
Dazhi Sun
Keyword(s):  
Work Zone ◽  
Changeable Message Signs ◽  
Message Signs

Influence of Exposure Duration on the Effectiveness of Changeable-Message Signs in Controlling Vehicle Speeds at Work Zones

1998 ◽  
Vol 1650 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. Garber ◽  
Srivatsan Srinivasan
Keyword(s):  
Threshold Value ◽  
Video Camera ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Volume Data ◽  
Work Zones ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Changeable Message Signs ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Message Signs

In work zones, drivers do not slow down in response to conventional signs. Changeable-message signs (CMSs) equipped with a radar unit can be used to display specific warning messages to speeding drivers. The radar unit detects the speed of each vehicle entering the work zone and can be programmed to activate the CMS if the speed of the vehicle exceeds a preset threshold value. A two-phase longitudinal study was conducted. The first phase, conducted by Garber and Patel, examined the short-term effectiveness of the CMS with radar in reducing vehicle speeds in work zones. The second phase, some of the results of which are presented, evaluated the influence of the duration of exposure of the CMS with radar on its effectiveness in reducing speeds in work zones. Speed and volume data for the population were collected at the study sites by automatic traffic counters placed at the beginning, middle, and end of each work zone. In addition, the speeds of individual drivers who triggered the CMS by exceeding the threshold speed were also recorded (using a video camera) at two other locations within the work zone for several weeks and analyzed. The results of the study indicated that the duration of exposure of the CMS does not have a significant impact on speed characteristics and driver behavior. Therefore, the CMS continues to be effective in controlling speeds in work zones for projects of long duration. The results also indicated that the CMS with radar reduces the probability of speeding at work zones and that this effect is maintained for at least up to 7 weeks.

scholarly journals Improved Road Safety at Work Zones using Advanced Traveler Information Systems

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Suhail Almallah ◽  
Qinaat Hussain ◽  
Wael K. M Alhajyaseen ◽  
Tom Brijs
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Speed Limit ◽  
Work Zones ◽  
Treatment Scenario ◽  
Lane Changing ◽  
Variable Message Signs ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Message Signs

Work zones are road sections where road construction or maintenance activities take place. These work zones usually have different alignment and furniture than the original road and thus temporary lower speeds are adopted at these locations. However, drivers usually face difficulty in adopting the new speed limit and maneuvering safely due to the change in alignment. Therefore, work zones are commonly considered as hazardous locations with higher crash rates and severities as reported in the literature. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a variable message signs (VMSs) based system for work zone advance warning area. The proposed system aims at enhancing driver adaptation of the reduced speed limit, encourage early lane changing maneuvers and improve the cooperative driving behavior in the pre-work zone road section. The study was conducted using a driving simulator at the College of Engineering of Qatar University. Seventy volunteers holding a valid Qatari passenger car driving license participated in this study. In the simulator experiment, we have two scenarios (control and treatment). The control scenario was designed based on the Qatar Work Zone Traffic Management Guide (QWZTMG), where the length of the advance warning area is 1000 m. Meanwhile, the treatment scenario contains six newly designed variable message signs where two of them were animation-based. The VMSs were placed at the same locations of the static signs in the control scenario. Both scenarios were tested for two situations. In the first situation, the participants were asked to drive on the left lane while in the second situation, they were instructed to drive on the second lane. The study results showed that the proposed system was effective in motivating drivers to reduce their traveling speed in advance. Compared to the control scenario, drivers’ mean speed was significantly 6.3 and 11.1 kph lower in the VMS scenario in the first and second situations, respectively. Furthermore, the VMS scenario encouraged early lane changing maneuvers. In the VMS scenario, drivers changed their lanes in advance by 150 m compared to the control scenario. In addition, the proposed system was effective in motivating drivers to keep larger headways with the frontal merging vehicle. Taking into account the results from this study, we recommend the proposed VMS based system as a potentially effective treatment to improve traffic safety at work zones.

Driver Understanding of Sequential Portable Changeable Message Signs in Work Zones

2007 ◽  
Vol 2015 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke R. Ullman ◽  
Gerald L. Ullman ◽  
Conrad L. Dudek ◽  
Alicia A. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Work Zones ◽  
Changeable Message Signs ◽  
Driver Understanding ◽  
Message Signs

Guidelines for Application of Portable Work Zone Intelligent Transportation Systems

2003 ◽  
Vol 1824 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Fontaine
Keyword(s):  
Intelligent Transportation Systems ◽  
Traffic Management ◽  
Intelligent Transportation ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Expected Performance ◽  
Operational Tests ◽  
Message Signs ◽  
Alternate Routes

Work zone intelligent transportation systems (WZITSs) are promoted as a way to improve safety and reduce congestion at work zone locations where traditional traffic management centers do not exist. These systems usually integrate portable changeable message signs and speed sensors with a central control system that automatically determines appropriate messages that are based on current traffic conditions. Manufacturers of these systems claim that WZITSs can warn drivers of downstream congestion, alert drivers to slower speeds ahead, and suggest alternate routes on the basis of prevailing conditions. Transportation agencies are often asked to make decisions on the installation of a WZITS without the benefit of objective information on its expected performance. Relatively few operational tests of these systems have been performed, and the results are not always well documented or conclusive. Agencies need guidance to help them determine whether a WZITS system would improve safety and operations at a specific site. Applications of WZITSs are reviewed, and a series of guidelines for their deployment, based on lessons learned from past tests, is presented.

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