Evaluation of Truck and Agricultural Vehicle Behavior at Reduced Conflict Intersections PDF Download

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Category : Roads
Languages : en
Pages : 42

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Book Description
In the US, some states have begun to address rural high-speed intersection crashes by physically restricting minor-road crossing movements (left and through turns) to simplify driver decision-making in terms of gap acceptance (the extent to which drivers will be able to utilize a gap in traffic of a particular size or duration). These treatments are referred to in Minnesota as reduced conflict intersections (RCIs). Within Minnesota’s rural corridors, introduction of RCI design has been successful in preventing severe crashes; however, the unusual design has been met with some apprehension from operators of agricultural equipment and large trucks. This, in combination with a resistance to the unfamiliar, has created a desire for more information regarding RCI configuration safety impacts for these types of vehicles. In response to these concerns, this study collected and evaluated large vehicle operational behavior at a set of RCIs and at similar standard control intersections in Minnesota. The researchers collected data in 2015 using a portable video trailer array and metrics on truck turning movements at three RCI intersections in Minnesota and three similar non-RCI intersections, which were proximate to the RCI intersections. The researchers compared travel time, evasive maneuvers, and other metrics for this study. The researchers found no evidence that validated concerns expressed about large vehicle operation at RCIs. Exposure time was not increased at U-turn locations and evasive maneuvers were lower than at control locations.