Citation

Wertanen S, Staves C, Al-Deek H, Sandt A, Carrick G, Rogers JH. Transp. Res. Rec. 2018; 2672(33): 42-55.

Affiliation

1Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, University of Central Florida (UCF), Orlando, FL 2Enforcement Engineering, Inc., Saint Johns, FL Corresponding Author: Address correspondence to Haitham Al-Deek: Haitham.Al-Deek@ucf.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0361198118778943

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Wrong-way driving (WWD) on limited-access highways is a serious driver error that could be fatal for both the wrong-way driver and right-way drivers. Agencies and law enforcement officers (LEOs) can spend valuable time and resources responding to WWD events. A survey of 247 LEOs found that despite being dispatched multiple times per year in response to WWD, most issue fewer than one WWD citation per year. In the survey, LEOs also gave their perspectives on the characteristics of WWD events and the influences behind WWD. Agencies typically use dynamic message signs (DMS) for notifying right-way drivers of WWD events, but little research has considered solutions that are less costly and potentially farther-reaching. A survey of 900 Florida toll-road drivers found that drivers rely on navigation devices, apps, or both, significantly more than DMS for traveler information. Drivers were receptive to receiving WWD alerts through navigation services and indicated that they would react to WWD events in a way that is beneficial to highway safety. Crowdsourcing technologies were considered to generate WWD information and quickly disseminate alerts to drivers and officers. Additional survey questions answered by a combined group of 2,052 drivers, LEOs, and agency officials determined that among advanced WWD countermeasures, most preferred two sets of "Wrong Way" signs equipped with rectangular flashing beacons over one set of signs with light emitting diodes. Combining advanced countermeasures with innovative right-way driver notification methods could enhance law enforcement efficiency, reduce WWD crashes, and provide safer conditions for both drivers and officers.

Language: en