SPONSOR: Oregon DOT

BUDGET: $30,000

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to measure the effectiveness of ODOT's new Advance Curve Warning System, located on Interstate 5 in southern Oregon, near Myrtle Creek. The system displays directed messages on a dynamic message sign to drivers based on the observed speed of approaching vehicles. For the evaluation, three measures of effectiveness were selected: 1) the change in mean speed for passenger cars and commercial vehicles; 2) the change in the speed distribution for both passenger cars and trucks; and 3) public response to the sign. Speed samples were taken of vehicles with a laser ranging and detection device, recording both speed and distance information over seven days, four in the before period and three in the after period. Quantitative evaluation indicate that the advanced curve warning system was effective at reducing the mean speeds of passenger cars and trucks by approximately 3 mile per hour for the southbound direction and 2 mph for the northbound direction. The speed distribution of both passenger cars and trucks is statistically different. Crash reductions of the system have not been evaluated as the system was recently installed. Intercept surveys of motorists at nearby rest areas revealed a positive perception to the system. Overall, the results of the evaluation indicate that the advanced curve warning system is effective.

PRODUCTS:

report Bertini, R.L., Monsere, C., Bosa, P., "Field Evaluation of the Myrtle Creek Advanced Curve Warning System." Portland State University, Center for Transportation Studies, Research Report, February 2006

presentation C. N. Nolan, R. L. Bertini, C. Monsere, T. A. Seoud, E. Anderson , "Measuring the Impacts of Speed Reduction Technologies: A Dynamic Advanced Curve Warning System Evaluation." Transportation Research Board 2005 Annual Meeting, January 10, 2005

journal Monsere, C., Nolan, C., Bertini, R.L., Anderson, A. and El-Seoud, T., "Measuring the Impacts of Speed Reduction Technologies: Evaluation of Dynamic Advanced Curve Warning System." Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board No. 1918, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., 2005. pp. 98-107.

presentation C. N. Nolan, R. L. Bertini, C. Monsere, T. A. Seoud, E. Anderson , "Measuring the Impacts of Speed Reduction Technologies: A Dynamic Advanced Curve Warning System Evaluation." ITE/IMSA Meeting, Portland, Oregon, October 10, 2005

conferenceproceedings Bertini, R.L. and C. Nolan, "Examination of the Impact of Speed upon Highway Safety: An Oregon Perspective." ITE District 6 Annual Meeting, Sacramento, CA, June 22, 2004

Before

After

Southbound Curves

Before

After