Access Control Techniques to Mitigate Wrong-Way Driving Activities on Multilane Divided Highways: Case Studies in Alabama

Abstract

This paper documents the results of a second phase statewide research project on wrong-way driving (WWD) crashes funded by the Alabama Department of Transportation. The purpose of this effort is to investigate why people drive in the wrong direction on the multilane divided highways in Alabama. The field data were collected at locations where there were WWD crashes or incidents over 5 years. Video cameras were used to monitor the WWD activities for 48 h from Friday to Sunday. The WWD activities were analyzed by the research team watching the video data. The study found that drivers tend to drive in the wrong direction as a result of driveways with a close median opening, poor front access control, lack of backage road connection, and limited sight distance because of large median widths or grade difference. The study also found that there is a high frequency of intentional WWD at some access points connecting gas stations, business, and residential areas on divided highways. It is recommended that access management techniques are applied to mitigate WWD activities on divided highways based on four case studies, including (1) providing closer exclusive U-turn median openings for indirect left turns; (2) improving poor front access control, for example installing a channelized island for right-in and right-out driveways; (3) providing backage road connections for close mixed land use; and (4) improving sight distance for minor-road traffic at unsignalized intersections with large grade difference or wide median widths.