I-80 Hybrid Regulatory Speed Limit Signing Design and VSL System Evaluation
A variable speed limit (VSL) is one of the traffic management tools that can maintain network safety performance in the presence of variable road hazards. Road networks plagued by consistent weather or work zones affecting driving conditions are where VSL systems could improve safety. Depending on the road condition and objective of the VSL installation, the system could be advisory or regulatory. In a segment of the I-80 freeway in Parley’s Canyon, Utah, due to elevation variation and snowstorms in winter, a variable speed zone is deployed on a segment of the road. Meanwhile, due to harsh weather in the road segment, signs designed with a white legend on a black background have shown to have limited visibility in these environments. Therefore, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has substituted the sign with an amber legend for improved visibility. This study tries to evaluate the effectiveness of new signs on corridor safety and compare road efficiency with both signs. The analysis is done using field trip recordings, recorded data of various sensors in this corridor, and crash data. Also, a safety evaluation model is developed to assess the traffic operation functionality and safety in response to the VSL system’s automation and visibility of the new signs on the road. Driver compliance rate and road safety outcomes by the models determine the impacts of the new system on road safety.
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- Summary URL:
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Supplemental Notes:
- This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
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Corporate Authors:
University of Utah, Salt Lake City
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Salt Lake City, UT United StatesUtah Department of Transportation
Salt Lake City, UT United States North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND United States 58108Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Authors:
- Azin, Bahar
- Yang, Xianfeng
- Publication Date: 2022-9
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Edition: Final Report
- Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 59p
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Color; Highway safety; Traffic signs; Variable speed limits; Visibility
- Identifier Terms: Interstate 80
- Geographic Terms: Utah
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01869381
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: MPC 22-488, MPC-610
- Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Dec 30 2022 4:59PM