The signs they are a-changin': development and evaluation of New Zealand's rural intersection active warning system

In New Zealand, high-risk rural intersections are an important area of focus for reducing deaths and serious injuries. Accordingly, the Rural Intersection Active Warning System (RIAWS) was developed to reduce traffic speed on major road intersection approaches when the potential for a collision exists. Electronic variable speed limit (VSL) or 'Slow Down' signs on the intersection approaches are triggered by the presence of side-road and right-turning traffic, and when traffic clears the signs turn off. This paper reports on an evaluation of ten RIAWS sites, some of which have been active for four years. We found that the RIAWS was effective in reducing traffic speed when potentially colliding vehicles were present. However, the 'Slow Down" sign was significantly less effective than a 60 or 70 km/h VSL, and was subsequently discontinued. In the three-year period since implementation, fatal and serious crashes have almost been eliminated at the ten RIAWS intersection sites. The active nature of the system increases driver state awareness, better prepares motorists for a possible event, and increases the gaps between potentially colliding vehicles. Generally, it seems that RIAWS has lasting, rather than short-term speed reducing effects, and this may underpin the emerging safety benefits. Overall, RIAWS is feasible, operates well, tangibly reduces travel speed when a crash risk is present, is perceived positively by the motoring public, and has shown tangible safety benefits.

• Record URL:
  http://acrs.org.au/publications/journals/current-and-back-issues/
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/18329497
• Authors:
  • Mackie, H
  • Brodie, C
  • Scott, R
  • Hirsch, L
  • Tate, F
  • Russell, M
  • Holst, K
• Publication Date: 2017

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 11-21
• Serial:
  • Journal of the Australasian College of Road Safety
  • Volume: 28
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Australasian College of Road Safety
  • ISSN: 1832-9497

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Driver information systems; Intersections; Rural areas; Rural highways; Speed control; Speed limits; Traffic safety; Variable message signs; Variable speed limits
• Uncontrolled Terms: Safe systems (roads)
• Geographic Terms: New Zealand
• ATRI Terms: Crash countermeasure; Driver information; Intersection; Rural road; Speed control; Variable speed limit
• ITRD Terms: 1661: Accident prevention; 8763: Driver information; 455: Junction
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01648281
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Oct 10 2017 2:11PM