THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FOUR-WAY FLASHERS ON STATIONERY AND SLOW-MOVING VEHICLES

To determine the efficacy of using four-way flashers (and other devices) on stopped and slow-moving vehicles, the FHWA sponsored two separate experiments at the Maine Department of Transportation's Facility in Pittsfield, Maine. The sites used for the experiments were on a two-way, two-lane rural road (U.S. Route 2) with a maximum volume of about 4,000 vehicles per day. This article describes the basic experiment design and gives the results of the experiments. Concerning slow-moving vehicles, the major finding was that the most effective device of those tested for decreasing the potential of a dangerous conflict when a faster moving vehicle overtakes a slow one on an upgrade was the use of standard four-way flashers by the slow vehicles. Specific positive effects included improvement in the initial reaction distance, closing rate, and minimum headways. Concerning vehicles parked or disabled at the roadside, the major finding was that use of four-way flashers is effective for warning approaching motorists of the presence of such vehicles.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/614107147
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Lyles, Richard W
• Publication Date: 1982-4

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 19-21
• Serial:
  • ITE Journal
  • Volume: 52
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
  • ISSN: 0162-8178
  • Serial URL: https://www.ite.org/publications/ite-journal/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Flashers; Measures of effectiveness; Parking; Rural highways; Slow moving vehicles; Stopping; Traffic incidents; Two lane highways; Warning systems
• Uncontrolled Terms: Disabled vehicles; Effectiveness; Parked vehicles; Stopped vehicles
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00367119
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-033 047
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 30 1982 12:00AM