Impact of Secondary Red Warning Lights on Incident Response Time – Phase 2
In 2023, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) gained approval to install flashing red secondary warning lights on certain incident management coordinator (IMC) and safety service patrol (SSP) vehicles over a 2-year transition period. Previously, only amber lights were permitted. Although this does not constitute full emergency vehicle permissions (such as the ability to violate red lights on traffic signals), the flashing red lights may encourage motorists to pull to the shoulder. This may improve VDOT’s incident response during congestion. As the Red Lights Pilot Program started in November 2025, this study aims is to evaluate the effects of IMC red secondary warning lights on incident response, with an emphasis on changes in incident response time and clearance time. The findings will help VDOT make informed decisions on incident management strategies and investment.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $151,964.00
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Contract Numbers:
128760
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Sponsor Organizations:
Virginia Transportation Research Council
530 Edgemont Road
Charlottesville, VA United States 22903 -
Performing Organizations:
Virginia Transportation Research Council
530 Edgemont Road
Charlottesville, VA United States 22903 -
Principal Investigators:
Appiah, Justice
Zhao, Mo
- Start Date: 20260301
- Expected Completion Date: 20270831
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Flashing traffic signals; Incident management; Red; Warning devices
- Geographic Terms: Virginia
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01979442
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Virginia Department of Transportation
- Contract Numbers: 128760
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Feb 12 2026 10:50AM