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Title:

Automatically Detecting Wrong-Way Drivers on the Highway System

Accession Number:

01551783

Record Type:

Component

Availability:

Transportation Research Board Business Office

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Abstract:

Vehicles that utilize exit ramps by entering in the wrong direction present one of the most serious traffic hazards on the national highway system. On average, approximately 350 people are killed annually in the United States as a result of wrong-way crashes. This typically occurs when the errant driver is impaired or confused. Existing intelligent transportation system field devices (traditionally used in the role of traffic management) are capable of dual functionality to enhance safety by detecting wrong-way drivers. This paper explores some of the possibilities of dual functionality using a combination of existing and new field devices coupled with new algorithms to create a wrong-way detection system. The wrong-way detection system is not expected to eliminate all wrong-way crashes. The system is designed to detect wrong-way drivers immediately upon entry; notify the traffic management center and public safety dispatch of the wrong-way entry point; and inform the errant driver of their potentially fatal mistake via visual and/or audible warnings to prompt drivers into corrective action. Should the errant driver continue onto the highway in the wrong direction, the system tracks the errant vehicle and provides audible updates to the traffic management and dispatch centers in real time of the errant vehicle’s location allowing officers additional lead time to respond to the errant driver’s actions. The detection system automatically warns right-way mainline drivers in the near vicinity of the on-coming wrong-way vehicle through the use of the existing dynamic message signs and ramp meters.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AHB20 Freeway Operations. Alternate title: Automatically Detecting Wrong-Way Drivers on Highway Systems.

Monograph Accession #:

01550057

Report/Paper Numbers:

15-1299

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Authors:

Simpson, Sarah
Karimvand, Reza

Pagination:

10p

Publication Date:

2015

Conference:

Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting

Location: Washington DC, United States
Date: 2015-1-11 to 2015-1-15
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board

Media Type:

Digital/other

Features:

Figures; Photos; References

Subject Areas:

Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor

Source Data:

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2015 Paper #15-1299

Files:

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

Dec 30 2014 12:30PM