INTERSECTION WARNING SYSTEMS

Jon JackelsMn/DOT ITS Program Engineer

Traffic TopicsApril 7, 2011

Rural Stop Controlled Intersection Crashes

FATAL CRASHES

• Right angle crashes overrepresented at rural STOP controlled intersections.

• Most of the fatal crashes are stop and proceed.

• Strategies to address include use of new technologies.

Urban13%

Rural23%

Non-Intersection

64%

Primary cause where drivers stopped before entering:• Driver looked but did not see other vehicle (62.1%);• Driver misjudged the gap (lag) (19.6%);• Driver had obstructed view (14.0%), or• Roads were ice-covered (4.4%)

The first 3 are problems with lag detection or selection.

Intersection Crashes – Driver Error

• Major Roadway Warning Systems– Vehicle Crossing / Entering Mainline– Speed Warning

• Minor Roadway Warning Systems– Mainline Vehicle Approaching Cross Street– Cross-street Stop Sign Warning Systems– Cross-street Gap Assistance Systems

Dynamic Intersection Warning Systems

Major Roadway Warning

Vehicle Entering or Crossing

Major Roadway Warning

Speed Warning

Minor Roadway WarningMainline Vehicle Approaching Cross Street

Minor Roadway Warning

Cross Street STOP Sign Warning

Minor Roadway Warning

Cross-Street Gap Assistance System

Challenges

• Establish the safety impact• Continue development of intersection warning

systems• Develop a methodology to identify risk• Establish warrants for proper applications• Implement MUTCD standards and guidelines• Educate and inform drivers.• Focus enforcement efforts.

• FHWA Pooled Fund Study since 1991• 16 members (including Ontario and Dutch Ministry

of Transport)• Forum for collaborative ITS research, development,

and deployment ventures• Facilitates the sharing of technological and

institutional experiences gained from individual ITS projects from its members

ENTERPRISE PROJECT

• ENTERPRISE Pooled Fund Members• States with ICW Systems• NCUTCD – Committee on Warning and Guide

Signs• AASHTO – Sub-Committee on Traffic Engineering• NACE• FHWA

PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS

STATES WITH ICW SYSTEMS• Florida• Louisiana• Maryland• Michigan• Minnesota• Mississippi• Missouri• Maine

• North Carolina • Ohio• Pennsylvania• South Carolina• Virginia• Washington• Wisconsin

Bring together the agencies and individuals who have deployed ITS intersection warning systems to reach consensus on an approach for an accelerated uniform deployment of intersection warning systems, and a recommendation for inclusion in the MUTCD.

Two workshops are proposed to accomplish these tasks.

PROJECT PURPOSE

• Share knowledge and educate each other on systems deployed;

• Identify problems, issues, successes with deployments; and

• Identify action items for each workshop attendee to perform in preparation for the second workshop.

WORKSHOP #1

• Establish a process to facilitate inclusion of the systems identified into the federal MUTCD;

• Establish a process to facilitate development of application warrants for the systems; and

• Establish appropriate measures of effectiveness and data needs for each system type to facilitate direct comparison of systems regardless of jurisdiction.

WORKSHOP #2

• Comprehensive List of Deployed Intersection Systems

• Workshops to learn from others and develop consensus on revisions to the MUTCD

• Recommended Application Guidelines for Intersection Warning Systems

ANTICIPATED RESULTS

Contact Information:Jon Jackelsjon.jackels@state.mn.us651-234-7377