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

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 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(44%) Intentional violations (33%) Confusion (15%) Vehicle problem/environmental condition (6%) Source: FHWA unpublished study by BMI Driver Behavior Inattentiveness (44%) Intentional violations (33%) Confusion (15%) Vehicle problem/environmental condition (6%) Source: FHWA unpublished study by BMI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) 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) 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 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 Remedy Violations Detected Using Cameras Images recorded Vehicle information processed Tickets issued in the mail

Automated 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 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) 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…

Benefits 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 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 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 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 Solutions Improving signal visibility  Number of signal heads  Placement of signal heads Improving signal visibility  Number of signal heads  Placement of signal heads

Engineering Solutions Improving signal conspicuity  LED lenses  Backplates  Red redundancy Improving signal conspicuity  LED lenses  Backplates  Red redundancy

Engineering 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 Solutions Improve other traffic control devices  Advanced warning flasher  Rumble strips Improve other traffic control devices  Advanced warning flasher  Rumble strips

Engineering 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 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 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)

For More Information, Contact… Dan Shamo, PE URS Corporation One Indiana Square, Suite 2100 Indianapolis, IN (317) Dan Shamo, PE URS Corporation One Indiana Square, Suite 2100 Indianapolis, IN (317)