Assessing Quick Builds and Safe Streets for Non-Motorized Safety Using Simulations and Portable Sensing Technology

This research establishes a comprehensive evaluation framework for Quick Build interventions using portable LiDAR technology, driving simulation, and field data to quantify safety impacts for non-motorized road users including pedestrians and cyclists. Building on Phase 1 simulation-based foundations, the study addresses the challenge of limited long-term effectiveness data for quick-build street treatments such as curb extensions, protected bike lanes, and temporary traffic calming features. The methodology combines portable detection systems including LiDAR sensors, edge computing, and 5G connectivity to capture high-resolution vehicle and non-motorized transport trajectories, speeds, conflict points, and crossing patterns before and after intervention implementation. UC Win Roads driving simulator environments will replicate selected corridors to analyze road user behavior and interactions under controlled conditions, while survey questionnaires assess community perceptions of safety improvements. The research develops multimodal safety performance metrics tailored to temporary installations including Post Encroachment Time, Time to Collision, and crash modification factors for non-motorized transport modes. The study produces Standard Operating Procedures enabling Maryland Department of Transportation staff to implement evaluation methods independently for future Quick Build projects, supporting evidence-based decision-making for permanent infrastructure investments.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $200,000.00
• Sponsor Organizations:

  Maryland Department of Transportation

  State Highway Administration, Office of Policy and Research
  707 North Calvert Street
  Baltimore, MD  United States  21202

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Safety and Mobility Advancements Regional Transportation and Economics Research Center

  Morgan State University
  Baltimore, MD  United States 
• Performing Organizations:

  Morgan State University

  1700 E. Coldspring Lane
  Baltimore, Maryland  United States  21251
• Principal Investigators:

  Jeihani, Mansoureh

  Swami, Mansha

  Mehryaar, Ehsan

• Start Date: 20250701
• Expected Completion Date: 20260630
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Before and after studies; Driving simulators; Improvements; Infrastructure; Laser radar; Nonmotorized transportation; Pedestrian safety; Performance measurement; Sensors
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01967852
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility Regional Transportation Equity Research Center
• Files: UTC, RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Oct 2 2025 2:57PM