TRC2105 - Innovative Countermeasures to Deter Wrong-Way Driving

Wrong-way driving (WWD) crashes are largely random events scattered throughout the State’s Interstate and freeway system. Despite a traffic safety project completed in 2017 that installed enhanced ground mounted signing at exit ramps, WWD crashes continue to take lives on Arkansas Interstates and freeways. Innovative countermeasures to deter WWD are being tested by other transportation agencies, with some methods showing promise. New devices include WWD event-activated flashing beacons and signs, directional rumble strips, video detection, driver alerts, and sometimes enforcement alerts. This research will analyze WWD crashes in Arkansas and test innovative countermeasures at selected test locations on ARDOT Interstates. The objectives of this research are to identify potential contributing factors to wrong-way entry onto freeways and Interstates; and to determine effective countermeasures that can be implemented in a cost-effective manner. To accomplish these objectives, first, existing crash data will be analyzed, possible countermeasures will be identified, and efforts of other states will be reviewed. Next, equipment will be selected to test on Arkansas Interstates, locations identified, and field-testing begun. The WWD countermeasures will be studied through the research and implementation periods.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $249,864
• Contract Numbers:

  TRC2105

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Arkansas Department of Transportation

  P.O. Box 2261
  Little Rock, AR  United States  72203
• Managing Organizations:

  Arkansas Department of Transportation

  P.O. Box 2261
  Little Rock, AR  United States  72203
• Project Managers:

  Romano, Kim

• Performing Organizations:

  Arkansas Department of Transportation

  P.O. Box 2261
  Little Rock, AR  United States  72203
• Principal Investigators:

  Romano, Kim

• Start Date: 20200825
• Expected Completion Date: 20230630
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash analysis; Crash causes; Highway traffic control systems; Traffic control devices; Wrong way driving
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01762875
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Arkansas Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: TRC2105
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jan 28 2021 12:48PM