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Source: FHWA unpublished study by BMI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Source: FHWA unpublished study by BMI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) [email protected]
Dan Shamo, PEURS Corporation
One Indiana Square, Suite 2100Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) [email protected]