Teresa Krenning, P.E. St. Louis District

National Rank WWD Fatal Crashes StateAverage FrequencyPercent of U.S. Total Texas3814% California2610% Florida218% Pennsylvania114% Missouri104% Mississippi93%

WWD National Findings Obviously a more severe crash type 57% Urban Over 2/3 occur at night 58% Impaired Driver Younger drivers (<65) more likely impaired Male drivers twice as likely as a female driver Older drivers are overrepresented Interchange Types (exit ramps) Partial Clover Diamond (esp. when closely spaced outer roads are present)

WWD Crashes on Missouri Interstates

Challenges Where are the High Risk Locations How Do You Get Attention of Drivers Staying MUTCD Compliant Spike Strips – Not MUTCD Compliant Determining Points of Entry Lots and Lots of Ramps

High Risk Locations - Partial Clover

High Risk Locations - Diamond

Getting Drivers Attention

MUTCD Compliance

STRATEGIES Existing Standards

Geometric Improvements Separate Entrance & Exit Ramps Install Raised Curb Median Install Longitudinal Channelizers Change Ramp Geometrics (Less Inviting): Obtuse Angle Sharp Corner Radii

Signing Implement Standard Sign Package Signs are in Place and Visible Double Up of “WRONG WAY” and “DO NOT ENTER” Signs Additional Measures (Supplemental): Reflective Tape on Sign Posts Increase Size of Signs (Oversize) Lower Sign Heights Add Freeway Entrance Sign (D13-3a)

Pavement Marking STOP Lines Paint Arrows on Ramps Turn/Through-Lane-Only Arrow Red Raised Pavement Markers Paint Short Dashed Lane Delineation Through Turns

Combo Strategies

Emerging Strategies Lower Warning Signs Picture from TxDOT Dynamic Warning Systems - ITS Technologies

PILOT WWD PROJECT St. Louis

Pilot Project – data analysis Wrong Way Crash data reviewed for Crash locations plotted Law Enforcement counseled on where drivers were entering the freeway I-44 Corridor selected crashes reviewed 5 fatal 4 disabling injury 7 minor injury 9 property damage only 22 crashes at night Possibly 3 out of the 25 involved drug and alcohol

Pilot Project – Site Conditions

Pilot Project – Scoping & Site Designs Specific field conditions reviewed: Limited sight distance Utility issues Existing signing Retaining walls Project funding availability Sequential ramps or close proximity desired

Pilot Project – Final Ramp Selections Eastbound: Off Ramp to Hampton Ave, Exit 286 Off Ramp to Lafayette Ave, Exit 290B Off Ramp to S. Jefferson Ave, Exit 289 Westbound: Off Ramp to Arsenal St., Exit 284B Off Ramp to Grand/Louisiana, Exit 288 Off Ramp to Hampton Ave, Exit 286 Off Ramp to S. Jefferson Ave, Exit 289 Off Ramp to Vandeventer Ave, Exit 287B

Pilot Project – Dynamic Warning System Flashing LED signs solar-powered radar activated 2 yr BlinkLink™ webbased traffic device monitor and control through TAPCO

Pilot Project – Installation Testing jefferson_EB.MTS

Pilot Project – Early Results System activated November Wrong Way Drivers confirmed No documented crashes linked to these 3 confirmed Wrong Way drivers Too early to tell if it works

SAN ANTONIO PILOT PROJECT

San Antonio Pilot Project ITS Technologies LED Illuminated Signs Use Dynamic Signs to Warn Other Drivers Use Existing GPS Navigation Technologies to Provide Alerts to Driver Provide Alerts to Law Enforcement Use Consistent and Intuitive Messages Picture from TxDOT

Does It Work? Freeway Wrong-Way Detection in San Antonio Combine with Ramp Systems (Flashing Signs) Utilize ITS Efforts to Provide Driver Alerts on DMS Alerts Law Enforcement TxDOT is Seeing a 29% Reduction from San Antonio Pilot Project Since July 2012

QUESTIONS ?

When all else fails…