Efficacy of Speed Warning Technologies

Crashes related to speed-change areas continue to be a major safety issue both in Michigan and nationwide. These types of crashes occur at locations where a change in speed is required to safely navigate, including horizontal curves, work zones, and when entering communities. A variety of factors contribute to the occurrence of crashes at these locations, including poor pavement surface conditions, limited visibility, driver distraction, drowsiness, and intoxication. While traditional warning treatments, including signs, delineation, and beacons have been used for decades, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has recently expanded implementation of new technologies to warn motorists on the approach to such areas. This includes speed feedback signs, flashing chevrons, and other warning technologies that are activated by sensors when approaching vehicles exceed a preset speed threshold. Although current MDOT research on the use of radar speed feedback signs has shown promising results, this research is limited to the use of such devices on freeway interchange ramps and only during favorable weather conditions. Furthermore, current MDOT research is strictly focused on the driver behavioral aspects and does not include evaluation of crashes and injuries. Consequently, additional research is needed to broadly assess the effectiveness of speed warning technologies across a variety of roadway configurations and weather conditions.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Sponsor Organizations:

  Michigan Department of Transportation

  Van Wagoner Building
  425 W. Ottawa Street
  Lansing, MI  United States  48909
• Performing Organizations:

  Michigan State University, East Lansing

  Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
  Institute for Community Development
  East Lansing, MI  United States  48824-1226
• Principal Investigators:

  Gates, Timothy

• Start Date: 20230123
• Expected Completion Date: 20250215
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Speed limits; Traffic crashes; Traffic signs; Warning signs
• Geographic Terms: Michigan
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01892209
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Michigan Department of Transportation
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 1 2023 11:47AM