Traffic Control Device Analysis, Testing and Evaluation Program
In 2015, Texas recorded 16,788 fatal and serious injury crashes, resulting in 3,538 deaths. With the expected population growth and increasing vehicle-miles traveled, there is a critical need to address highway safety. In addition, there are federal requirements that currently exist, or are pending, that need analysis and cost-effective solutions. Traffic control devices (TCDs) are the primary means of communicating important highway information to TxDOT's customers, the road users. TCDs provide roadway users regulatory, warning, and guidance information that provide safer travel and improved operations. The design, application, and maintenance of TCDs is under constant transformation as new technologies, methodologies, and policies are introduced. As the vehicle and highway infrastructure industries evolve, spurred by technology advancements, customer demand, changing vehicle fleet, and national and state policy changes, there is a constant need to analyze and test new or enhanced TCDs, applications, and materials so that safety and operations can be optimized. This project will provide TxDOT a mechanism to quickly and effectively evaluate high priority issues related to TCDs. This project will result in new and improved TCD applications, policies, and practices that will reduce fatal and serious injury crashes, minimize TxDOT personnel exposure, meet the needs of the road users, and provide smoother traffic flow. This project will require a variety of research methods, including engineering analyses, focus groups, surveys, human factors testing, simulator testing, and closed-course and open-road testing. The research will support the needs of Traffic and the Maintenance Divisions and the districts. Implementation of the new traffic control device policies and practices will result in improved safety for Texas motorists and reduced crash costs for the state of Texas.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $1585988
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Contract Numbers:
0-7096
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Sponsor Organizations:
Texas Department of Transportation
125 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX United States 78701-2483 -
Managing Organizations:
Texas Department of Transportation
125 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX United States 78701-2483 -
Project Managers:
Jensen, Darrin
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Performing Organizations:
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX United States 77843-3135 -
Principal Investigators:
Finley, Melisa
- Start Date: 20200901
- Expected Completion Date: 20230831
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Evaluation and assessment; Highway safety; Optimization; Traffic control devices
- Geographic Terms: Texas
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01766370
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Texas Department of Transportation
- Contract Numbers: 0-7096
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Mar 1 2021 2:42PM