Citation

Janoff MS, Hill JG. Transp. Res. Rec. 1986; 1069: 80-82.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

There is extensive literature that describes the effect of flashing beacons on such driver behavior as speed adjustment, but none has been identified that presents the effect of such beacons on the frequency of accidents. The results are presented of an accident analysis that was conducted to determine the effect of a flashing beacon on the frequency of accidents at a dangerous high-speed rural curve. A before-and-after accident analysis was conducted using 2 years of "before" data and 2 years of "after" data. The analysis revealed a 50 percent reduction in total accidents but a 91 percent reduction in accidents of the speed/lost-control/fixed-object type--the type expected to be most directly affected by the installation of a flashing beacon. Benefit-cost ratios in excess of 50:1 were demonstrated for this flashing beacon installation, and the cost of the beacon was saved within 2 months by the elimination of almost all the lost-control type of accidents.

Language: en

Keywords

ACCIDENT PREVENTION; STREET TRAFFIC CONTROL; ROADS AND STREETS - Rural