Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Marcel P. Huijser, PhD Challenges of Advanced Signing Technology Applications

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Situation n Transportation - Environment important - 725,000-1,500,000 animal-vehicle crashes - 725,000-1,500,000 animal-vehicle crashes - > 200 human fatalities, 29,000 injuries - > 200 human fatalities, 29,000 injuries - > $1 billion in property damage / yr US - > $1 billion in property damage / yr US.… and increasing.… and increasing Conover et al., 1995; Cook & Daggett, 1995

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman PDF format downloadable from

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman PDF format downloadable from

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman n Static warning signs, deflectors n High fences n High fences & crossing structures n Animal detection systems Historical perspective No ultimate solution Local context and objectives Tools for toolbox

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Evaluate animal detection systems Western US (Yellowstone, MT): elk Eastern US (Harrisburg, PA): w-t deer 2 systems: MT: break-the-beam (STS) PA: movement (Oh Deer) Funders:15 DOT’s FHWA Project

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman System effectiveness – – Vehicle speed – – Animal-vehicle collisions Research questions System acceptance – – DOT (MDT) – – Traveling public – – Others (e.g. Yellowstone NP) System performance – – False positives – – False negatives

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Hw 191 Yellowstone NP

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Manufacturer: Sensor Technology Systems (STS) Manufacturer: Sensor Technology Systems (STS) (Scottsdale, AZ) Location:Yellowstone NP, Hwy 191, Mile Location:Yellowstone NP, Hwy 191, Mile Owner:MDT, and operation and maintenance Owner:MDT, and operation and maintenance Research: WTI, and project management Research: WTI, and project management Timeframe:administration: started in 2000 Timeframe:administration: started in 2000 research: Nov 2002 – Dec 2004 Project partners Project partners

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Delays Change system STS and subcontractor Special requirements Yellowstone NP - topsoil - vegetation - landscape Cost overruns for STS and WTI Concerned funders Park Manual VEGETATION MANAGEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION DISTURBANCE

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Design Design

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Eagle Rock Timber Michiana Contracting Yelowstone NP And… Dependable Paint Coral Sales Company Myrstol Post and Pole MDT Field players Field players

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Installation challenges Winter deadline Coordination no cell phone reception Traffic control no priority, no overtime Working conditions (snow, cold)

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Location posts - telephone line Access road Painting equipment Cell phone modem Installation challenges

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Average speed (n=52) km/hr SD= M/hr SD=9.4 Speed readings Top speed: semi 141 km/hr 88 M/hr

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Speed reduction Local speed limit 55 M/hr

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman 1 sided t-test  =0.05, power = 0.8 Based on speed readings from Yellowstone study site 5 km/hr 115 vehicles per treatment Power analysis Warning signals on - off

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Road surface Precipitation Light conditions DryNoneDaylight Snow packed SnowDaylight DryNoneDarkness SnowDarkness Road- and weather conditions

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Driver reaction time Expected: 0.7 sec. 0.5 is perception and 0.2 is movement: release the accelerator and to depress the brake pedal) Unexpected common road signal: 1.25 sec. Increased perception time Surprise by unusual circumstance: 1.5 sec. Increase interpretation and decision time "'How Long Does It Take To Stop?' Methodological Analysis of Driver Perception-Brake Times"Transportation Human Factors, 2, pp , 2000

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Potential reduction in reaction time: = 0.8 sec. Potential reduction in braking distance: 0.8 sec. at 55 M/hr = 20.8 m (68.4 ft) Driver reaction time

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman 11/22/ :42: /22/ :42: Data Possible animal crossing

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman 11/23/ :21:57 A 11 11/23/ :22: /23/ :22: /23/ :22: /23/ :23: /23/ :23:14 B 15 Data snow spray from snow plow

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Problems and solutions November - December 2002 Problems Low temperatures – radios FCC regulations radios Management plan MDT Research permit suspended Remote access? Snow spray impact? Snow dunes? Shade – solar panels? Theft / vandalism?

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Problems and solutions January 2003 Solutions Low temperatures – radios fixed FCC experimental license Sensors, software, accident, curves Outreach Problems Randomly flashing beacons Management plan MDT Concerns Yellowstone NP Research permit suspended Remote access? Elk sign stolen

Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Western Transportation Institute Montana State University-Bozeman Lessons learned Expect delays Extensive lab tests Good field reconnaissance Limit project partners? Avoid weather deadlines Construction crew = flagging crew “Green light” analysis! Mile markers – payments! Decision points