<p>The objective of this research project was to study mobile and short duration work zone safety with particular attention to the identification of work zone safety devices, information systems for the reduction of safety and congestion, and implementation of innovative techniques to reduce delays and crashes due to work zones.</p>
Professors Satish Ukkusuri and Jose Holguin-Veras of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), as a result of an RFP process through the UTRC, have been selected by a selection committee to conduct an assessment of the emerging and promising technology that is likely to impact transportation in the NYMTC region.
Advanced traveler information systems (ATIS) attempt to provide drivers with data intended to help them make better travel decisions. Messages may be available to all drivers (for example by radio or television broadcasts) or only to some: for example, those who pass near a particular infrastructure (such as variable message signs or VMS) or who have special receivers in their vehicles. Drivers, of course, may react to the messages in any way they choose.
Speed limits have been introduced for many reasons, e.g., to reduce gas consumption, to reduce the frequency and severity
of crashes, and in some cases to reduce noise. The objective of this research effort was to conduct a literature review to
assess the effect of increased speed limits on limited access roads regarding safety, travel speeds, and other unanticipated
impacts including shifts in lane distribution, traffic diversions, and spillover effects. Following are the conclusions:
In 1974, a national maximum speed limit (NMSL) of 55
mph was introduced to reduce the consumption of fuel.
NMSL was followed by a dramatic reduction in the
number of fatal crashes and Congress decided to
continue with the 55 mph speed limit. In 1987, states
were allowed to increase the speed limit to 65 mph on
certain rural interstates. New Jersey did not change the
55 speed limit at that time since 'very little mileage
qualified as rural interstate.' In May 1998, New Jersey
The economic vitality of the 'Golden Horseshoe', a
densely populated and industrialized region which
encompasses Southern Ontario, Canada and parts of New
York State including the Buffalo-Niagara Region, is
heavily dependent upon the ability to move goods freely
and efficiently across the Canadian-US border. In recent
years, and as a result of the continued increase in travel
demand across the border coupled with the need for tighter
security and inspection procedures after September 11,
<p>Presently in work zones, standard barricade warning lights are used to provide channelizing and warning functions. These yellow flashing lights are presently used without consideration of the specific work zone activities underway at any given time.
<p>Barricade warning lights have been used for many years at construction sites to indicate to drivers that caution is needed. A benefit of these warning lights is that they are widely recognized and understood, but a downside is that "caution" is the only message that they are able to communicate. Drivers may not know what action should be taken until additional information is available, or it is too late.
Finding an effective method for obtaining information on the travel patterns of household members is a critical need for transportation planners and researchers. This is particularly the case for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), now being pressured to improve their travel demand forecasting capabilities. An emerging strategy for generating high-quality data is the use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) trace data to collect travel patterns.
The objective of this research was to perform evaluation tests related to the transmission of digitized video signals over ISDN between a video traffic reporting camera and a traffic management center. The quality of the received video signals was assessed for effectively monitoring the traffic conditions. An evaluation plan was developed which consisted of a market survey of current video-transmission options, an identification of the hardware specifications for the ISDN connections, and a description of the tests to be performed.
