Effect of Warning Signs on Curve Operating Speeds

The objective of this study is to evaluate the use of several warning signs and warning methods to identify those that have the greatest impact on reducing vehicle speeds when traversing a horizontal curve. Three sites were selected from a list of proposed sites for the testing of the various warning methods. Each warning treatment was installed and a five-day waiting period was allowed before operating speeds for the treatments were measured. The results of the various warning methods were mixed, however, some warning treatments were able to reduce operating speeds on a consistent basis. The most effective of these treatments were the transverse lines, the new combination Horizontal Alignment/Advisory Speed sign, and flashing lights on both the existing warning sign and new combination warning sign. It should also be noted here that for all three sites, a reduction in the average of the speeds over the 85th percentile speed was observed, indicating that most of the treatments have a reducing effect on the most unsafe driving, those traveling above the 85th percentile speed.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.13023/KTC.RR.2005.20
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Kentucky, Lexington

  Kentucky Transportation Center
  College of Engineering, 176 Raymond Building
  Lexington, KY  United States  40506-0281

  Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

  200 Mero Street
  Frankfort, KY  United States  40622

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Vest, Adam
  • Stamatiadis, Nikiforos
  • Clayton, Adam
  • Pigman, Jerry
• Publication Date: 2005-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 44p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Field studies; Highway curves; Operating speed; Road markings; Warning signs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Flashing lights; Horizontal curvature; Speed reduction
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01015088
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: University of Kentucky, Lexington
• Report/Paper Numbers: KTC-05-20/SPR-259-03-1F, KTC-05-20-1F
• Contract Numbers: KYSPR-259-03
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jan 6 2006 3:32PM