Horizontal curves are few and far between, yet account for one-quarter of all highway deaths in the United States, with the root causes being unfamiliar driver error and in-curve speeding.
In an ideal partnership between private, academic and federal government transportation leaders, TAPCO, Penn State University and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are conducting a new study, Reducing Roadway Departure Crashes at Horizontal Curve Sections on Two-Lane Rural Highways.
The study determined the installation of Sequential BlinkerChevron™ Dynamic Curve Warning Systems along two-lane horizontal curves was effective at reducing overall speeds and crash rates. (Click here for the full report.)
The systems consist of solar-powered, LED-enhanced flashing chevrons installed throughout the length of the curve and connected via wireless technology. Approaching vehicle speeds trigger the system to activate
“These systems are meant for drivers who are unfamiliar with the road they are driving on,” said Brian Scharles, Lead Intelligent Warning Systems Engineer at TAPCO. “The system alerts drivers traveling above the posted speed limit who may be unaware an upcoming curve is ahead where quick speed reduction is needed to safely navigate through the curve.”
Why is a new study needed?
Though the Highway’s for Life study determined TAPCO’s Sequential BlinkerChevron™ Dynamic Curve Warning System is effective at reducing in-curve speeds and crash rates, the Reducing Roadway Departure Crashes at Horizontal Curve Sections on Two-Lane Rural Highways study takes it a step further by analyzing different speed activation thresholds, chevron flash patterns and frequency rates.
“What we are trying to find out is if we increase the activation method by five and ten MPH and the flash rate frequency, can the system be even more effective?” Scharles said. “In the original study, if the vehicle was traveling faster than the posted speed limit when approaching the curve, the system would activate a sequential flash pattern at the rate of one flash per second."
For this study, four different real-time scenarios were analyzed:
- Speed activation was five MPH above the in-curve speed limit with a sequential flash pattern at one flash per second.
- Speed activation was ten MPH above the in-curve speed limit with a sequential flash pattern at one flash per second.
- Speed activation was five MPH above the in-curve speed limit with a simultaneous flash pattern at three flashes per second.
- Speed activation was ten MPH above the in-curve speed limit with a simultaneous flash pattern at three flashes per second.
BlinkerChevron™ Dynamic Curve Warning Systems were installed at the three most accident-prone 55 MPH two-lane rural highway curves in Wisconsin, as determined by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Goal of the study
The goal was to analyze the change in speeding and driving performance based on the different activation methods, flash patterns (sequential or simultaneous) and flashing frequency rate of the BlinkerChevrons™ in search of the optimal setting for the BlinkerChevron™ Dynamic Curve Warning System.
Results of the study
The study was conducted under the direction of Eric Donnell, Ph.D., P.E., Professor of Civil Engineering at Pennsylvania State University, with results expected to be finalized and released by spring 2017.
The Safe Travel's blog will be releasing the results of the study as soon as the results are published. Subscribe below to get the results sent to your inbox!
Aleischa Kronshagen
TAPCO | Product Manager
With several years of experience in the traffic safety industry, Aleischa manages TAPCO's dynamic curve warning solution product line and most other specialty solution product lines, including emergency vehicle, icy road and intersection conflict.
Previously, she was a member of TAPCO's customer service team, which fostered a passion for process and data analysis, as well as creative problem solving.