Traffic Control Devices Consortium Pooled Fund Study

June 2007

Co-Chairs:Scott Wainwright (FHWA) Scott Thorson (Nevada DOT)

Technical Liaisons:Thomas Granda (FHWA)

Bryan Katz (SAIC)

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TCD PFS Members

• FHWA Office of OperationsOffice of SafetyEastern Federal

Lands

• Local DOTsLos Angeles DOTBroward County DOT

• OrganizationsAmerican Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA)

• State DOTsCalifornia DOTFlorida DOTGeorgia DOTIowa DOTIllinois DOTKansas DOTMississippi DOTMissouri DOTNebraska DOT

New Hampshire DOTNew Jersey DOTNevada DOTNew York DOTNorth Carolina DOTPennsylvania DOTSouth Carolina DOTTexas DOTWisconsin DOT

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Completed Projects

• Pavement Markings for Speed Reduction

• Colors for Transponder-Controlled Tollbooth Lanes

• Navigation Signing for Roundabouts

• Pedestrian Countdown vs. Flashing Don’t Walk

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Current Projects

• Evaluation of Selected Symbol Signs (To be completed Summer 2007)

• Stutter Flash for Flashing Beacons at Unsignalized Pedestrian Crossings(To be completed Fall 2007)

• Diagrammatic Freeway Guide Sign Design (To be completed Summer 2007)

• Lane Restriction Marking and Signing for Double-Lane Roundabouts(To be completed Summer 2007)

• Analysis of Enlarged Pedestrian Signal Heads(To be completed Summer 2007)

• Warning Sign Legends for Emergency Incidents(In contracting phase, to begin Summer 2007)

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Evaluation of Selected Symbol Signs

Research Goals• Evaluate a series of symbols to

determine the best symbol for various information based on driver comprehension and legibility

Research Tasks:• Review of Symbols Used• Determine Alternatives• Comprehension Test• Conspicuity and Legibility Test• Final Report

Principal Investigators:Bryan Katz and Gene Hawkins

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Evaluation of Selected Symbol Signs:Candidate Ferry Symbols

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Evaluation of Selected Symbol Signs:Motorist Information

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Evaluation of Selected Symbol Signs:Motorcycle Warning

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Evaluation of Selected Symbol Signs:Object Marker

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Evaluation of Selected Symbol Signs:Automated Enforcement

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Evaluation of Selected Symbol Signs:Car Rental

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Evaluation of Selected Symbol Signs:School Bus Stop Ahead

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Evaluation of Selected Symbol Signs:Truck Electrification

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Evaluation of Selected Symbol Signs:Truck Parking

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Evaluation of Selected Symbol Signs:Wireless Internet Access

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Stutter Flash for Flashing Beacons at Unsignalized Pedestrian Crossings

Research Question• Can the effectiveness of the

overhead flashing beacon be enhanced by replacing the traditional slow flashing incandescent lamps with rapid flashing LED lamps?

Research TeamTexas Transportation

Institute

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Diagrammatic Freeway Guide Sign Design

Research Question• Are enhanced diagrammatic

freeway guide signs with wider arrows or signs with upward pointing arrows more effective than the standard MUTCD diagrammatic guide signs?

Principal InvestigatorGary Golembiewski

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Diagrammatic Freeway Guide Sign Design

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Lane Restriction Marking and Signing for Double-Lane Roundabouts

Research Question• What are the differences

in driver behavior and comprehension of standard versus fishhook-style roundabout signs and markings?

Principal InvestigatorsJohn Molino and Bryan Katz

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• Lane Restriction Signing and Marking• Double-lane roundabouts• 5 Different Signing and Marking

Schemes– MUTCD Standard (with words)– MUTCD Enhanced– Fishhook – Standard– Fishhook – Enhanced (with words)– Destination Lane Restriction

Lane Restriction Marking and Signing for Double-Lane Roundabouts

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Analysis of Enlarged Pedestrian Signal Heads

Research Question• What are the factors

and visual characteristics that must be considered when implementing enlarged pedestrian signal heads?

Principal Investigator• John Molino

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Future Projects (Not Finalized)

• Determination of standard formats for guide signs

• Combined Lane-Use and Destination Signing

• Centerline Rumble Strips• Evaluation of International Symbols

for US Use• Evaluation of Longitudinal

Channelizing Barricade Effectiveness

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Questions?

For further information, contact:

Thomas Granda(202) 493-3365thomas.granda@fhwa.dot.gov

Bryan Katz(202) 493-3388bryan.katz@fhwa.dot.gov