Presented by:

Daniel E. Shamo, P.E.Senior ITS Engineer

URS Corporation –Indianapolis, IN

Presented by:

Daniel E. Shamo, P.E.Senior ITS Engineer

URS Corporation –Indianapolis, IN

A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH for solving the

RED LIGHT RUNNING PROBLEM

A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH for solving the

RED LIGHT RUNNING PROBLEM

The RLR Epidemic!The RLR Epidemic!

Annual Statistics…•168,000 injured

•854 fatalities

•Economic loss of $14 billion

Source: NHTSA 2004, FHWA 2003 Statistics

Annual Statistics…•168,000 injured

•854 fatalities

•Economic loss of $14 billion

Source: NHTSA 2004, FHWA 2003 Statistics

RLR Underlying CausesRLR Underlying Causes

Driver Behavior

• Inattentiveness (44%)

• Intentional violations (33%)

• Confusion (15%)

• Vehicle problem/environmental condition (6%)

Source: FHWA unpublished study by BMI

Driver Behavior

• Inattentiveness (44%)

• Intentional violations (33%)

• Confusion (15%)

• Vehicle problem/environmental condition (6%)

Source: FHWA unpublished study by BMI

RLR Underlying Causes (cont’d)RLR Underlying Causes (cont’d)

Intersection Characteristics

• Poor traffic signal indication visibility

• Inadequate intersection capacity

• Downhill approaches

• Sight obstructions

Intersection Characteristics

• Poor traffic signal indication visibility

• Inadequate intersection capacity

• Downhill approaches

• Sight obstructions

RLR Underlying Causes (cont’d)RLR Underlying Causes (cont’d)

Traffic Signal Timing Issues

• “Unpredictable” traffic signal indications

• Improper change intervals (yellow, red)

• Poor signal progression

Traffic Signal Timing Issues

• “Unpredictable” traffic signal indications

• Improper change intervals (yellow, red)

• Poor signal progression

NHTSA and FHWANHTSA and FHWA

“… support a comprehensive approach to intersection safety that incorporates engineering, education, and enforcement countermeasures to prevent red light running and improve intersection safety.”

- Red Light Systems Operational Guidelines, FHWA, January 2005

“… support a comprehensive approach to intersection safety that incorporates engineering, education, and enforcement countermeasures to prevent red light running and improve intersection safety.”

- Red Light Systems Operational Guidelines, FHWA, January 2005

The Automated Enforcement RemedyThe Automated Enforcement Remedy

Violations Detected Using Cameras

Images recorded

Vehicle information processed

Tickets issued in the mail

Automated Enforcement IssuesAutomated Enforcement Issues

• Very unpopular due to privacy concerns

• Car owner gets ticket, not offender

• Equipment is specialized and expensive

• Often seen as a revenue stream

• Requires legislation

• Overlooks potential engineering solutions

• Increases rear end collisions

• Very unpopular due to privacy concerns

• Car owner gets ticket, not offender

• Equipment is specialized and expensive

• Often seen as a revenue stream

• Requires legislation

• Overlooks potential engineering solutions

• Increases rear end collisions

A Comprehensive ApproachA Comprehensive Approach

Identify candidate intersections

Install low cost RLR monitors

Measure existing compliance rates

Seek site-specific engineering solutions

Evaluate countermeasures

A Comprehensive Approach (Cont'd)A Comprehensive Approach (Cont'd)

Conduct selective human enforcement

Periodically monitor compliance

Use automated enforcement as last resort

• If problem is not resolved, or engineering solutions are too costly then…

• If problem is not resolved, or engineering solutions are too costly then…

Benefits of the Comprehensive ApproachBenefits of the Comprehensive Approach

• No video is recorded

• Tickets in the mail are a last resort

• Equipment is lower cost

• Does not require legislation

• No video is recorded

• Tickets in the mail are a last resort

• Equipment is lower cost

• Does not require legislation

Benefits of the Comprehensive ApproachBenefits of the Comprehensive Approach

• Easier to install

• Countermeasures can be evaluated quickly

• Enhances traditional enforcement resources

• Easier to install

• Countermeasures can be evaluated quickly

• Enhances traditional enforcement resources

‘Comprehensive Approach’ Goals‘Comprehensive Approach’ Goals

• To reduce right angle collisions

• To improve red light compliance

• To increase enforcement effectiveness

• To develop a performance measure

• To reduce right angle collisions

• To improve red light compliance

• To increase enforcement effectiveness

• To develop a performance measure

Engineering SolutionsEngineering Solutions

General Categories:

1. Signal visibility/conspicuity

2. Signal timing/coordination

3. Sight distances

4. Other traffic control devices

5. Improved driver expectancies

General Categories:

1. Signal visibility/conspicuity

2. Signal timing/coordination

3. Sight distances

4. Other traffic control devices

5. Improved driver expectancies

Engineering SolutionsEngineering Solutions

Improving signal visibility Number of signal heads Placement of signal heads

Improving signal visibility Number of signal heads Placement of signal heads

Engineering SolutionsEngineering Solutions

Improving signal conspicuity LED lenses Backplates Red redundancy

Improving signal conspicuity LED lenses Backplates Red redundancy

Engineering SolutionsEngineering Solutions

Improve signal timing/coordination Signal optimization Signal cycle length Yellow change interval Red clearance interval

Improve signal timing/coordination Signal optimization Signal cycle length Yellow change interval Red clearance interval

Engineering SolutionsEngineering Solutions

Improve other traffic control devices Advanced warning flasher Rumble strips

Improve other traffic control devices Advanced warning flasher Rumble strips

Engineering SolutionsEngineering Solutions

Improve driver expectancies

Remove unwarranted traffic signals

Eliminate night flashing mode

All -Way Red Flash for malfunction mode

Improve pavement surface condition

Improve driver expectancies

Remove unwarranted traffic signals

Eliminate night flashing mode

All -Way Red Flash for malfunction mode

Improve pavement surface condition

Summary of the Comprehensive Approach

Summary of the Comprehensive Approach

1. Install RLR monitoring equipment

2. Focus on root causes

3. Implement countermeasures

4. Monitor RLR compliance after changes

5. Selective enforcement with media campaign

6. Implement automated enforcement (a last resort if nothing else works)

1. Install RLR monitoring equipment

2. Focus on root causes

3. Implement countermeasures

4. Monitor RLR compliance after changes

5. Selective enforcement with media campaign

6. Implement automated enforcement (a last resort if nothing else works)

Potential Research ConceptsPotential Research Concepts

• Investigate ‘Depth of Red’ correlation with crash rates

• Develop crash prediction tools

• Develop user-friendly in-vehicle equipment to enhance enforcement efforts

• Use RLR studies to optimize clearance intervals

• Move towards self programming signal controller

• Investigate ‘Depth of Red’ correlation with crash rates

• Develop crash prediction tools

• Develop user-friendly in-vehicle equipment to enhance enforcement efforts

• Use RLR studies to optimize clearance intervals

• Move towards self programming signal controller

Sample Scheduling Report for Local Police (Selective Enforcement Program)

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1:00 AM

2:00 AM

3:00 AM

4:00 AM

5:00 AM

6:00 AM X X7:00 AM

8:00 AM

9:00 AM

10:00 AM

11:00 AM X12:00 PM X

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

3:00 PM X X X X X4:00 PM X X5:00 PM

6:00 PM

7:00 PM

8:00 PM

9:00 PM

10:00 PM

11:00 PM

12:00 AM

Worst Hours for Red Light Running Last 3 WeeksAt the corner of Main and Jefferson Street

For More Information, Contact…For More Information, Contact…

Dan Shamo, PEURS Corporation

One Indiana Square, Suite 2100Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 532-5423dan_shamo@urscorp.com

Dan Shamo, PEURS Corporation

One Indiana Square, Suite 2100Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 532-5423dan_shamo@urscorp.com