scholarly journals Investigation of smart work zone technologies using mixed simulator and field studies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Siyang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Field Study ◽  
Model Building ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Green Light ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Work Zones

Safety is the top concern in transportation, especially in work zones, as work zones deviate from regular driving environment and driver behavior is very different. In order to protect workers and create a safer work zone environment, new technologies are proposed by agencies and deployed to work zones, however, some are without scientific study before deployment. Therefore, quantitative studies need to be conducted to show the effectiveness of technologies. Driving simulator is a safe and cost-effective way to test effectiveness of new designs and compare different configurations. Field study is another scientific way of testing, as it provides absolute validity, while simulator study provides relative validity. The synergy of field and simulator studies construct a precise experiment as field study calibrates simulator design and validates simulator results. Two main projects, Evaluation of Automated Flagger Assistance Devices (AFADs), and Evaluation of Green Lights on Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA), are discussed in this dissertation to illustrate the investigation of smart work zone technologies using mixed simulator and field studies, along with one simulator project investigating interaction between human driven car and autonomous truck platoon in work zones. Both field and simulator studies indicated that AFADs improved stationary work zone safety by enhancing visibility, isolating workers from immediate traffic, and conveying clear guidance message to traffic. The results of green light on TMAs implied an inverse relationship between visibility/awareness of work zone and arrow board recognition/easy on eyes, but did not show if any of the light configurations is superior. Results anticipated for autonomous truck platoon in work zones are drivers behave more uniformly after being educated about the meaning of signage displayed on the back of truck, and performance measured with signage would be more preferable than those without signage. Applications of statistics are extension of studies, including experimental design, survey design, and data analysis. Data obtained from AFAD and Green Light projects were utilized to illustrate the methodologies of data analysis and model building, which incorporated simulator data, biofeedback and survey response to interpret the relationship among driver perspective and mental status, and driving behavior. From the studies conducted, it could be concluded that mixed simulator and field study is a good fit for smart work zone technologies investigation. Simulators provide a safe environment, flexibility and cost-effectiveness, while field studies calibrate and validate simulator setup and its results. The collaboration of two forms of study generates legitimate and convincing results for investigations. Applying statistical methodologies into transportation simulator and field studies is a good way to make experiment and survey design more rational, and the statistical methods are applicable for further data analysis.

Simulator and Field Study of Green Lights on Truck-Mounted Attenuators in Missouri during Mobile Operations

2019 ◽  
Vol 2673 (2) ◽  
pp. 769-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siyang Zhang ◽  
Zhu Qing ◽  
Henry Brown ◽  
Carlos Sun ◽  
Praveen Edara
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Green Light ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Work Zones ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Disability Glare ◽  
Simulator Study ◽  
Distance Work ◽  
Light Color

Mobile work zones for various types of moving operations (e.g., striping, pothole patching, sweeping) are an important component in highway maintenance activities which have particular safety issues. To help mitigate the risk and severity of collisions, a truck-mounted attenuator (TMA) is attached to a construction vehicle, typically equipped with amber/white lights. Despite these visible warnings, collisions involving TMAs and traffic still occur. In an effort to improve upon the traditional amber/white lights, the use of green lights on TMAs was investigated. The study included the evaluation of four light-color configurations: amber/white, green only, green/amber, and green/white. Driving simulator tests obtained various driver behavior measures, including the first blinker distance, merge distance, work zone and arrow direction recognition distance, and disability glare. Vehicle speeds were captured in both a simulator study and a field study. In the simulator study, the use of the amber/white combination led to the highest work zone visibility but also created the greatest concern with disability glare. Although the green-only configuration led to the lowest disability glare, it also resulted in low visibility. The results showed an inverse relationship between visibility (awareness of work zone) and arrow board recognition (easy on eyes). Other findings from the field study include lower traffic speeds for the green light TMA and lower vehicle speeds for lower TMA vehicle speeds. Overall, the study showed that the four configurations had various tradeoffs and none stood out as clearly superior in terms of the performance measures.

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.

Field Evaluation of Late Merge Traffic Control in Work Zones

2005 ◽  
Vol 1911 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew G. Beacher ◽  
Michael D. Fontaine ◽  
Nicholas J. Garber
Keyword(s):  
Field Test ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Positive Response ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Work Zones ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Field ◽  
Lane Closures

The traffic control strategy of the late merge in work zones was devised to improve flow and safety at work zone lane closures. Although some states have put the strategy into practice, only a handful of short-term field studies have formally evaluated its effectiveness. Additional field studies were necessary to assess the efficacy of the strategy and its proper deployment. This paper documents the results of a field test of the late merge traffic control conducted over several months. The late merge strategy was evaluated by comparing its effectiveness with that of traditional plans for work zone lane closures. The field test was conducted on a primary route in Tappahannock, Virginia, at a two-to-one lane closure. Results showed that throughput increased, but the increase was not statistically significant. Likewise, time in queue decreased, but the decrease was not statistically significant. These results were much less dramatic than those of other studies. Possible reasons for this disparity include different driver populations, road types, vehicle mixes, and site-specific characteristics. Despite limited improvements in throughput and time in queue, more drivers were in the closed lane, a positive response to the late merge signs.

Effect of the Work Zone Double-Fine Law in Texas

2000 ◽  
Vol 1715 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald L. Ullman ◽  
Paul J. Carlson ◽  
Nada D. Trout
Keyword(s):  
Public Safety ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Work Zones ◽  
Citation Data ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Texas Department ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Law ◽  
External Reasons

Results of research conducted to investigate the short-term effects of the double-fine law in work zones implemented in Texas on January 1, 1998, are presented. Field studies of traffic speeds in several work zones were performed before and after the law was implemented. Traffic citation data for these same work zones were also obtained from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Analyses showed that traffic speeds in the work zones 4 to 6 months after the law was enacted were essentially unchanged from before the law was enacted. Similarly, citation frequency and fines levied were not significantly higher than they were before enactment of the law. The data suggested that a higher proportion of drivers who were issued citations after the law was implemented chose to take defensive driving training and to have the ticket subsequently dismissed. However, researchers could not determine whether this was due to the increased fine or to other external reasons.

scholarly journals Dare I Embark On A Field Study? Toward An Understanding Of Field Studies

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Xiao ◽  
Paul Milgram
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Hypothesis Testing ◽  
Field Study ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Complex Environments ◽  
Specific Approach ◽  
Cognitive Activities

Field studies have frequently been advocated as a means for understanding cognitive activities in naturalistic settings. However, there are several fundamental obstacles that one has to overcome to conduct a field study. This paper discusses two of these obstacles in the context of studying problem solving in complex environments: defining goals of a field study and justifying methods used in data analysis. Based on our experience from a recently finished field study, we outline a framework for understanding the nature of field studies and suggest a specific approach to data analysis. We argue that the goal of field studies should not be limited to hypothesis testing, and that the process of data analysis in field studies can be viewed as an inductive abstraction process. Our field study is used to illustrate the abstraction approach to data analysis and how the obstacles in field studies were dealt with. Through these discussions, we encourage researchers to engage in more field studies.

scholarly journals Toward the development of standards for yellow flashing lights used in work zones

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 552-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
MS Rea ◽  
JD Bullough ◽  
LC Radetsky ◽  
NP Skinner ◽  
A Bierman
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Luminous Intensity ◽  
Work Zones ◽  
Driver Safety ◽  
Visual Discomfort ◽  
Directional Information ◽  
Warning Light ◽  
Warning Lights ◽  
Current Standards

Flashing yellow warning lights are important for worker and driver safety in work zones. Current standards for these lights do not address whether and how they should be coordinated to provide directional information to drivers navigating through work zones. A field study was conducted to assess driver responses to warning lights. The luminous intensities and flash patterns of warning lights along a simulated work zone were varied during daytime and nighttime. During the daytime, driver responses were relatively insensitive to warning light characteristics, although drivers preferred sequential and synchronised flash patterns over random, uncoordinated flashing. At nighttime, the combination of a temporal peak luminous intensity of 25 cd and a sequential flash pattern was optimal for providing directional information. A single initial warning light having a higher luminous intensity may help drivers detect the work zone without creating unacceptable visual discomfort.

Influence of Information Literacy Competencies on Users of the Saulsville Public Library, South Africa

Mousaion ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rexwhite Tega Enakrire ◽  
Isaac Mpho Mothiba
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Information Discovery ◽  
Information Literacy Competencies

Information literacy competencies indicate the ability of an individual to apply a certain search strategy of information discovery, to understand its design, to value judgement, and to use it in various contents and contexts. The influence of information literacy competencies plays an important role in enabling information users to meet their information needs and prepares them for lifelong learning. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of information literacy competencies of users in the Saulsville public library, South Africa. The rationale was a lack of awareness and the inability of the users to find their information needs based on the task and decision at hand. The descriptive survey design adopted for this study made use of a questionnaire to collect data from 1 120 registered members of the Saulsville library. Of the 1 120 registered users being the population for the study, the authors purposively used 10 per cent (112 members) of the population as sample size. The findings revealed that users of the Saulsville public library had limited awareness and competencies of information literacy. The users were exposed to some form of library orientation and the use of library resources during their visit to the library. The findings further indicated that the users’ information literacy competencies were affirmed through the quality of information obtained and the satisfaction of library services rendered by library staff. The study recommends the acquisition of new technologies that could enhance users’ interactive information literacy training in public libraries and formal education settings.  

THE CORRELATION BETWEEN LISTENING AND SPEAKING AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yune Andryani Pinem
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Field Study ◽  
School Students ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Independent Variable ◽  
Listening And Speaking

This research looks at listening as one factor that gives contribution toward speaking among high school students. The study attempts to reveal through data analysis, in the form of students. score from each variable that both have correlation. Further the objective of the study is also to find out the extent of influence contributed by listening toward speaking. The research applies library study and field study (instrument designing and test performing both for listening and speaking). The theory used for analysis deals with listening and speaking correlation from language learning review. The result of the study demonstrates that the correlation of listening as the independent variable with speaking as dependent variable is positive. It also proves that with a unit of program or treatment given toward listening class, there will be a significant improvement equals with 3.134 times from previous speaking score for the same sample. For the analysis of data, the extent of correlation between two varibales is shown as low. It indicates that even though listening do have positive correlation towarde speaking, it is not the only deminant factor to determine success in speaking.

Effects of Trust and Threat Messaging on Academic Cheating: A Field Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 095679762097751
Author(s):  
Li Zhao ◽  
Jiaxin Zheng ◽  
Haiying Mao ◽  
Xinyi Yu ◽  
Jiacheng Ye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Academic Integrity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Theoretical Foundation ◽  
Empirical Evaluation ◽  
Psychological Theory ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Academic Cheating ◽  
College Classrooms

Morality-based interventions designed to promote academic integrity are being used by educational institutions around the world. Although many such approaches have a strong theoretical foundation and are supported by laboratory-based evidence, they often have not been subjected to rigorous empirical evaluation in real-world contexts. In a naturalistic field study ( N = 296), we evaluated a recent research-inspired classroom innovation in which students are told, just prior to taking an unproctored exam, that they are trusted to act with integrity. Four university classes were assigned to a proctored exam or one of three types of unproctored exam. Students who took unproctored exams cheated significantly more, which suggests that it may be premature to implement this approach in college classrooms. These findings point to the importance of conducting ecologically valid and well-controlled field studies that translate psychological theory into practice when introducing large-scale educational reforms.

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