Development of an Expert System for Effective Countermeasure Identification at Rural Unsignalized Intersections
Intersections are among the most dangerous points in a transportation network. Both shortcomings in design and human error contribute to the frequency of crashes at intersections. In this paper, a knowledge based expert system (KBES) is created to assist engineers and transportation officials in the process of improving the safety at rural, unsignalized intersections. Currently, the process of identifying countermeasures for rural, unsignalized intersections with a chronic safety problem involves a great deal of experience and subjective assessments. The knowledge based expert system developed attempts to provide a more logical progression of the intersection safety process and incorporate quantitative assessments of potential options. The KBES for countermeasure identification was created using the program CORVID developed by Exsys® Incorporated to identify and determine the effectiveness of countermeasures of rural, unsignalized intersections. The countermeasures considered in this project include intersection lane narrowing, advanced warning rumble strips, flashing beacons, advanced warning pavement markings, signage improvements, conversion to roundabout, signalization, conversion to all-way STOP control, left and right turn lanes, shoulder bypass lanes, sight distance improvements, intersection realignment, intersection illumination, and performing a skid test for pavement quality. The system is constructed of variables joined together using IF…THEN statements in the logic block and is designed to represent the thinking process of a human expert. The KBES was tested using data from a high crash rural, unsignalized intersection in Delaware which were examined during a previous 2012 Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) study. The results produced by the expert system were comparable to the results achieved by the DelDOT study. Testing the system in this manner begins the process defined by the Federal Highway Association (FHWA) for verification and validation of expert systems.
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Supplemental Notes:
- This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ABJ70 Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Computing Applications. Alternate title: Development of Expert System for Effective Countermeasure Identification at Rural Unsignalized Intersections.
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Corporate Authors:
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001 -
Authors:
- Frey, Rebecca
- Faghri, Ardeshir
- Li, Mingxin
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Conference:
- Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting
- Location: Washington DC
- Date: 2014-1-12 to 2014-1-16
- Date: 2014
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 14p
- Monograph Title: TRB 93rd Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Countermeasures; Expert systems; Highway safety; Rural highways; Unsignalized intersections; Validation
- Geographic Terms: Delaware
- Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01516029
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: 14-3494
- Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
- Created Date: Feb 26 2014 12:40PM