Effectiveness of Using Cat-eye Reflectors as Warning and Traffic Calming Devices in Local Roads and Highways

Cat-eye reflectors are retroreflective safety devices that can be used effectively in road marking to provide directional guidance on roadways. This paper examines the effectiveness of using transverse cat-eye reflectors in the driving lane as warning and traffic calming devices. Field measurements of speed and in-depth interviews with different driver groups were used to assess the potential benefits of using cat-eye reflectors in these applications. The results show that cat-eye reflectors, when used as traffic calming devices in urban area, can effectively reduce the speed in local streets. However, they have a minor effect in reducing speed on highways. Cat-eye reflectors can also be used as warning devices on both highways and local roads to alert drivers about the need to take action. The results of in-depth interviews with drivers showed that drivers prefer cat-eye reflectors over other alternatives such as rumble strips. Heavy vehicle drivers seem to be the driver group that favors the use of cat-eye reflectors the most among other driver groups.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/conferences/2011/RSS/2/Faheem,H.pdf
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

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• Authors:
  • Faheem, Hamdy
• Conference:
  • 3rd International Conference on Road Safety and Simulation
  • Location: Indianapolis Indiana, United States
  • Date: 2011-9-14 to 2011-9-16
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Maps; References;
• Pagination: 15p
• Monograph Title: 3rd International Conference on Road Safety and Simulation

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Driver support systems; Highway safety; Local transportation; Retroreflectivity; Rumble strips; Traffic calming; Traffic speed; Warning devices
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01504496
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 24 2014 2:29PM