Research Report
Melisa D. Finley, Raul E. Avelar, Steve P. Venglar, H. Gene Hawkins, Jr., and Haitham Al-Deek
Jan-18
This report provides an analysis of factors associated with wrong-way movements on unsignalized divided highways and freeways. The research used crash data involving wrong-way movements from three states to model relationships between traffic control devices and wrong-way movements that resulted in a crash. The divided highway analysis focuses on design, signage, and roadway markings, while the freeway analysis emphasizes the effectiveness of signage with flashing lights. The results are used to identify appropriate countermeasures and to develop specific recommendations for revisions to the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) that may deter wrong-way movements by drivers. The safety analysis indicated that most wrong-way movements at divided highway crossings occurred when the driver turned left into the near-side roadway traveling in the wrong direction. The data indicated that this maneuver occurred for 90 percent of the wrong-way crashes for which the wrong-way entry point was specifically identified in crash documentation. Therefore, the suggested changes to the MUTCD language focus upon addressing this maneuver. Separate analysis of wrong-way driving event data supported the use of flashing red LEDs within the border of WRONG WAY signs at freeway exit ramps.
NCHRP Research Report 881: Traffic Control Devices and Measures for Deterring Wrong-Way Movements
Countermeasures
Flashing traffic signals
Highway design
Highway safety
Road markings
Warning signs
Wrong way driving
HSIS Summary Reports are two to eight pages in length and include a brief description of the issue addressed, data used, methodology applied, significant results, and practical implications.
A variety of research studies have been performed using data from HSIS. Many of the final reports prepared are now available electronically.
Research reports are often summarized in executive summaries, technical briefs, or other abbreviated formats. Included here are those road safety summaries that involved research using HSIS data.
In addition to conducting research, HSIS resources are also used to develop products that can be used by practitioners in the analysis of safety problems.
HSIS data are sometimes used in research studies that result in other types of finished products, such as dissertations, theses, and conference proceedings.
