Understanding Contributing Factors to Wrong-way Crashes and Evaluating the Effectiveness of Countermeasures in Reducing Wrong-way Crash Risk of Older Drivers |
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University | Florida State University (FSU) University of North Florida (UNF) |
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Principal Investigators | Walter Boot, Ph.D. | |
PI Contact Information |
Department of Psychology Phone: 850. 645.8734 Email: boot@psy.fsu.edu |
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Funding Source(s)and Amounts Provided(by each agency or organization) |
USDOT: $134,410 Florida State University: $21,630 University of North Florida: $28,850 Florida DOT Project Cost Share: $20,040 |
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Total Project Cost | $204,930 | |
Agency ID or Contract Number | DTRT13-G-UTC42-033177-036405 | |
Start and End Dates | 2/28/2015 – 8/5/2016 | |
Brief Description of Research Project |
The majority of Wrong-way Crashes (WWCs) involve a driver using an exit ramp to enter a highway. As highlighted by a number of WWCs in Florida this year, these crashes are severe and often fatal. WWCs frequently involve drivers impaired by drugs and/or alcohol, but there is also evidence that age-related perceptual and cognitive declines put older drivers at greater risk for this type of crash. The current proposal aims to use crash analysis, in addition to a human factors approach, to understand the factors related to WWCs in older drivers, and to evaluate the effectiveness of new and existing countermeasures to prevent WWCs. Proposed studies will complement a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) funded simulator study on effective WWC countermeasures and recent FDOT initiated efforts to understand WWC crashes in Florida. The aim of the existing FDOT project is largely focused on examining the impact of traditional wrong-way countermeasures (pavement markings, signs) on younger and older drivers within the driving simulator. However, ASAP funding will allow for the exploration of relatively new and novel WWC countermeasures, such as the benefit of flashing wrong-way signs, new sign messages, novel roadway geometries, and the combination of different countermeasures. These studies will aide in our understanding of the best practices to reduce wrong-way entries, with the ultimate goal of reducing WWCs for drivers of all ages. |
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Describe Implementation of Research Outcomes (or why not implemented) Place Any Photos Here | Pending project completion. | |
Impacts/Benefits of Implementation (actual, not anticipated) | Pending project completion. | |
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