A Wrong-Way Driving Crash Risk Reduction Approach for Cost-Effective Installation of Advanced Technology Wrong-Way Driving Countermeasures

Abstract

Wrong-way driving (WWD) is hazardous on high-speed limited access facilities. Traditional signage and pavement markings will not always prevent intoxicated or confused drivers from entering these facilities the wrong way. To better alert wrong-way drivers, agencies can consider WWD countermeasures equipped with advanced technologies (including warning lights and detection devices) on exit ramps. However, these countermeasures can be expensive for agencies to install on entire roadways or corridors. This paper develops an innovative WWD crash risk (WWCR) reduction approach consisting of a WWCR segment model and an optimization algorithm that can be used to help agencies decide where to install WWD countermeasures. The approach examines segments of limited access facilities to determine the interchanges where advanced technology WWD countermeasures will provide the greatest reduction in WWCR based on an agency’s available resources. A hypothetical example application of this approach is shown for the Central Florida Expressway Authority toll road network. This example shows how the WWCR reduction approach can help agencies identify the optimal investment level and high-risk locations. It also shows how the optimization algorithm can provide significant cost savings compared with equipping entire roadway segments (57% savings) or corridors (83% savings). Agencies can customize the algorithm by adding constraints to represent various scenarios and make the algorithm applicable for networks ranging from single roadways to statewide systems. This WWCR reduction approach could be utilized by agencies nationwide to help them save resources and prioritize investment.