Investigate Low-Cost Safety Measures at Signalized Intersections

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study will be to investigate the use oflow-cost countermeasures to reduce crashes at signalized intersections. BACKGROUND: Traffic signals are used to reduce traffic congestion and certain types of traffic crashes. However, in some instances, traffic crashes may not be reduced and some types of crashes may increase. Intersections with traffic signals at both high volume, urban locations and high speed, rural locations have been identified as high crash locations. The potential exists to address these high-crash signalized locations with relatively low-cost countermeasures such as additional signal heads or adding delineation to make the signal heads more visible. The study will identify various types of low-cost safety measures and evaluate their cost and effectiveness. The low costs associated with these measures should increase the opportunity of implementation. FY 2006 ACCOMPLISHMENTS: A review of literature was completed determine the types of low-cost safety improvements which have been used. Also, new ideas for safety improvements were solicited from traffic engineers across the state. A list of proposed countermeasures was prepared. Intersections were identified where the improvements could be installed. Preliminary data collection was initiated at locations were improvements were scheduled for installation, including crash data and conflicts data. HES projects were identified to install equipment at sites in Elizabethtown and Lexington. FY 2007 PROPOSED WORK: Data collection will be completed at intersection locations where low-cost safety improvements have been made. Analysis of data will be conducted to determine the effects of the low-cost improvements. A report documenting the overall data collection and analysis will be prepared, along with results and recommendations. PROJECTED COST THROUGH FY 2006: PROGRAMMED COST FY 2007: TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: $ 75,000 $ 50,000 $125,000