The Highway Transportation System Moving People and Goods from Place to Place Safely and Efficiently

What Makes Up the HTS? Roadways - Multilane highways - Country Roads - City Streets People - Drivers - Passengers - Cyclists - Pedestrians Vehicles - Tractor-trailers - Buses - Cars, Vans, SUV’s - Mopeds - Motorcycles

Federal and State Requirements National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act Automakers are required to build certain safety features, such as safety belts and shatterproof windows, into their motor vehicles. National Highway Safety Act Guidelines: Vehicle registration, Driver Licensing, Traffic Laws, Traffic Courts, Highway Construction and Maintenance. Each state sets its own statutes or laws, that concern highway safety.

Reading Highway Transportation System Signs If the numbers on a highway sign are ODD, it means that the road goes North – South. An EVEN numbered sign means that the road goes East – West. Interstate numbers range from 4 to 99. The greater the EVEN number, the farther North you are. The greater the ODD number, the farther East you are. For Example: Interstate 90?

Reducing Your Risk Within the HTS Keep your vehicle in top condition Anticipate the actions of others Take steps to protect yourself and others Drive only when you are in sound physical and mental condition Make a conscious effort to develop your driving skills

The IPDE Process Identify Identify objects or conditions within 12 to 15 seconds ahead that could interfere with your planned path of travel. -Open Closed Zones -Traffic Controls -Roadway features and conditions -Other users -Specific Clues

The IPDE Process Predict Identify objects or conditions within 12 to 15 seconds ahead that could interfere with your planned path of travel. Imagine what might happen. -Path (Where might the other driver go?) -Action (What action will other users take?) -Space (Will I have an open zone?) -Point of Conflict (Where might our paths cross?)

The IPDE Process Decide Decide what action(s) to take at least 4 to 5 seconds ahead of time to control or reduce risk. *Decision will be influenced by the speed of own vehicle as well as the speed of other vehicles* -Change or maintain speed -Change directions -Communicate

The IPDE Process Execute Carry out your decision to avoid conflict is the execute step in the IPDE process. *This step involves the physical skills used in driving.* -Control Speed -Steer -Communicate -Combine Actions

The Smith System Aim High and Look Ahead Look way ahead of your vehicle (20 to 30 seconds ahead), not down at the road directly in front of you. Keep Your Eyes Moving Search the scene constantly for changes that might require you to adjust your speed or position.

The Smith System Get the Big Picture Search the whole scene, not just part of it. Make Sure Others See You Communicate with drivers and pedestrians. Leave Yourself a Way Out Always leave yourself a path of escape (a way to avoid a collision)

How Vision Affects Your Ability to Drive oVisual Acuity – clear vision oField of Vision  Central Vision – the narrow cone-shaped area directly in front of you  Peripheral Vision – angles to your right and left  Vertical Field of Vision – up and down oDepth Perception – gives a 3-dimensional perspective to objects (distance judgment)