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Title:

Speed Photo–Radar Enforcement and Its Effects on Speed in Work Zones

Accession Number:

01123155

Language:

English

Abstract:

Automated speed photo–radar enforcement (SPE) in work zones was implemented for the first time in the United States in Illinois. This paper presents the results of the effectiveness of SPE on the basis of three data sets collected in two work zones. SPE was effective in reducing the average speed and increasing compliance with the work zone speed limit in all three data sets. In almost all cases in which SPE was implemented, the average speeds were significantly lower than the work zone speed limit. The average free-flowing speed of cars was reduced by 4.2 to 7.9 mph, and that of trucks by 3.4 to 6.9 mph. SPE reduced the percentage of cars and heavy vehicles exceeding the speed limit significantly. The percentages of free-flowing cars exceeding the speed limit were reduced from 39.8% to 8.3% in Data Set 1, from 30.4% to 4.2% in Data Set 2, and from 93.2% to 45.5% in Data Set 3. The percentages of free-flowing heavy vehicles exceeding the speed limit were reduced from 17.3% to 4.2% in Data Set 1; from 6.1% to 1.2% in Data Set 2; and from 69.2% to 13.9% in Data Set 3. Trucks did not exceed the speed limit by more than 10 mph in any of the data sets when SPE was implemented. In two data sets no cars exceeded the speed limit by more than 10 mph, while in the third data set only 2.5% did. Field data were also collected after the SPE van left the work zone to examine the halo (temporal) effects of SPE. SPE had a halo effect of 1.8~2.7 mph on free-flowing trucks in one work zone but none in the other work zone. The halo effect of SPE on free-flowing cars was a limited 1.2 mph on the shoulder lane in only one data set.

TRIS Files:

HRIS

Report Numbers:

09-3649

Media Type:

Print

Pagination:

pp 89-97

Authors:

Benekohal, Rahim F

Phone: 217-244-6288
Fax: 217-333-1924
rbenekoh@uiuc.edu
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Wang, Ming-Heng

mwang4@ku.edu
University of Kansas, Lawrence

Chitturi, Madhav V

mchitturi@wisc.edu
University of Wisconsin, Madison

Hajbabaie, Ali

ahajbab2@uiuc.edu
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Medina, Juan C

Phone: 217-333-5967
jcmedina@uiuc.edu
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Monograph Accession #:

01138536

Publication Date:

2009

Serial:

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

Issue Number: 2096more icon
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISSN: 0361-1981

Availability:

Transportation Research Board Business Office

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 USA
Order URL: http://trb.org/Main/Public/Blurbs/Traf...outs_Trucks_Older_Drivers_an_162149.aspx

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Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780309126120

ISBN:

9780309126120

Features:

Figures (3) ; References (11) ; Tables (5)

Index Terms:

Automobile drivers; Compliance; Field data; Photo radar; Speed control; Speed limits; Traffic law enforcement; Traffic safety; Truck drivers; Work zone traffic control

Subject Areas:

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control

Last Modified:

Sep 20 2009 3:35PM

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