Analysis of Performance Data Collected from Two Wrong-Way Driving Advanced Technology Countermeasures and Results of Countermeasures Stakeholder Surveys

Abstract

Wrong-way driving (WWD) often leads to severe collisions that cause serious injuries and deaths. Conventional “Wrong Way” signs can reduce WWD events, but can be insufficient in some cases. In areas with many WWD events, transportation agencies can be proactive by considering the use of countermeasures with advanced technologies to actively warn motorists of WWD violations. This paper analyzes recent performance data collected from two types of advanced technology WWD countermeasures implemented in Florida: light-emitting diode (LED) signs in South Florida and rectangular flashing beacon (RFB) signs in Central Florida. The 17 LED sites experienced a 38% reduction in WWD citations and 911 calls after the signs were installed. Images taken by the on-site cameras were examined to see how many vehicles turned around for both the RFB and LED treatment sites. Over 77% of the 170-detected wrong-way vehicles self-corrected their wrong-way movement at the RFB sites (each with two sets of signs and multiple cameras) and 14% self-corrected at the LED sites (each with one set of signs and one camera). Surveys were also conducted regarding these two WWD countermeasures. More than 73% of the 2,052 respondents preferred RFBs over LEDs, mainly due to the double set of RFB signs and their flashing pattern. The performance and survey results show that both the LEDs and RFBs have effectively reduced WWD movements. However, modifications could be made to both countermeasures to improve their detection ability and make wrong-way drivers more likely to turn around.

Comparative Analysis of Freeway Exit Ramp Terminal Design Practices to Deter Wrong-Way Driving in Different States

“…For instance, red rectangular rapid flashing beacons, wigwag flashing beacons, detection-triggered blank-out signs that flash ''Wrong Way,'' and detection-triggered LED lights around ''Wrong Way'' signs were found to be effective in mitigating WWD at freeway exit ramps (15)(16)(17). In another study, the LED ''Wrong Way'' signs and rapid flashing beacon ''Wrong Way'' signs were found to be effective in reducing WWD movements (18). Texas Department of Transportation experienced a 30% reduction in WWD incident frequency after adding flashing LEDs to the borders of DNE and WW signs (19).…”

Benefit–Cost Analyses of Rectangular Flashing Beacon Wrong-Way Driving Countermeasures on Toll Road Exit Ramps in Florida

“…Researchers have used the comparison group method to evaluate different safety countermeasures for many years (36,37). This method has also been previously used to conduct before-after analyses on LED and RFB WWD countermeasures (1)(2)(3)(4)(5).…”

“…This research included a benefit-cost analysis of these LED WWD countermeasures resulting in a benefit-cost ratio of 13.1, however details of this analysis were not found (12). UCF researchers have built models to predict WWD crashes and non-crash events using various roadway characteristics and driver demographics, developed an optimization approach to help agencies effectively deploy WWD countermeasures, surveyed drivers and law enforcement officers about WWD behavior, analyzed the factors that affect law enforcement response time to WWD events, and evaluated LED and RFB WWD countermeasures installed on toll roads in South and Central Florida (1,(5)(6)(7)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21). However, none of this previous research involved benefit-cost analyses of ITS WWD countermeasures.…”

“…Examples of ITS WWD countermeasures include ''Wrong Way'' signs equipped with rectangular flashing beacons (RFBs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs), detection devices, and cameras. Previous studies have shown that these technologies are effective at preventing wrong-way drivers from entering the mainline (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). However, the lack of WWD crash data makes it difficult to quantify the crash reduction and associated savings provided by these devices.…”

Estimating Fatality and Injury Savings Because of Deployment of Advanced Wrong-Way Driving Countermeasures on a Toll Road Network

“…In October 2014, FTE installed ''Wrong Way'' signs with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) at 17 South Florida exit ramps to combat WWD (Figure 1a). ''Wrong Way'' signs with rectangular flashing beacons (RFBs) were installed in June 2017 at 18 Central Florida ramps to further combat WWD (Figure 1b) (5). The LED installations contain one pair of signs while the RFB installations contain two pairs of signs.…”