Traffic sensor data-based assessment of speed feedback signs

Abstract

Excessive speed is a significant traffic safety concern on almost all types of roadways. A practical speed management strategy should improve mobility and vehicle progression by reducing nonrecurrent delays and improve public health and traffic safety by reducing the number of speeding-related crashes. Speed feedback signs are an effective speed management strategy. The objective of this article is two-fold: first, quantify the impact of SFS on arterial mobility at the link and intersection levels. Second, to conduct a data-driven safety assessment of arterials with active SFS. A major arterial in Tucson, AZ, with four existing SFS, was selected. Based on the initial results from the collected traffic sensor data, no significant difference was found among all traffic signal performance measures with and without an active SFS. However, statistically significant speed reduction was found at three out of four links after enabling the SFS. In addition, it was found that the impact of SFS on driver’s behavior is a function of their approaching speed. The results of the safety assessment of SFS showed that at an arterial with a link speed of 35 mph, the benefit in dollar value per year associated with a reduction in the severe crash could pay as much as $700,000.