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Traffic and Safety Division Traffic Operations and Safety Lab Mission Statement The optimization of transportation investment and operations require decisions that maximize the efficient and effective use of resources while ensuring the mobility and safety of the traveling public. Useful and applicable information and technical guidance are key inputs to this process. The primary mission of Traffic and Safety Division (TSD) staff is to complete accurate and useful research and educational outreach about the impacts of changes in the roadway environment on transportation operations and safety. The roadway environment includes · Segment and Intersection Geometric Design · Signing, Pavement Marking, and Signal Control · Driver Capabilities and Characteristics · Vehicle Capabilities and Characteristics ·
Land Use, Weather, and Wildlife Interface Purpose The purpose of TSD is to provide guidance to
transportation professionals and decision-makers with their identification
and evaluation of the mobility and safety characteristics of existing and
proposed roadway environments.
The information and tools produced by TSD can be used by
transportation professionals, agencies, and governmental bodies to make
more effective and efficient decisions. The dissemination of TSD research
results is through research reports, the classroom, the worldwide web, and
workshops with the University of Wisconsin Engineering Professional
Development Department. Research Areas and Interests The staff at TSD has a wide range of research interests
and expertise. They include: · Corridor Simulation · Safety Analysis/High-Crash Location Identification and Mitigation · Corridor Operations, Design, and Safety · Red-Light Running · Traffic Control Analysis and Work Zones · Deer-Vehicle Crashes and Countermeasures · Winter Weather Mobility and Safety Impacts · Traffic Calming · Intelligent Transportation System Application Needs Assessment and Impacts · Workload/Expectancies and Capabilities of Drivers · Urban and Rural Roadway and Intersection Safety and Operations ·
Transportation Planning and Modeling Current Research Projects The TSD was established as part of the MRUTC in September 2001. Research projects that focus on a number of roadway design, operations, and safety characteristics are currently being pursued. The following current project list is updated as funding becomes available. Deer-Vehicle Crash
Information Clearinghouse Initiation Project This is multi-year multi-jurisdictional project funded by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to develop a regional information clearinghouse about deer-vehicle crashes (DVCs). Vehicle, white-tailed deer, and crash data will be collected from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This project has a number of objectives, but will primarily evaluate and disseminate data and research results in the DVC area, suggest research gaps, provide information about DVC avoidance measures, and consider the methods used to collect data related to DVCs. A number of reports and a webpage will be produced as part of the project.
Traffic Volume, Heavy Vehicle, and Frequently-Stopping Vehicle Impacts on Four-Lane to Three-Lane Cross Section Conversions The conversion of four-lane undivided urban roadways to a three-lane cross section occurs throughout the United States. Very little operational guidance exists to identify when this type of conversion might be most feasible. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the CORSIM simulated operation of similar roadways with these roadway cross sections for different levels traffic volume, heavy vehicles, and frequently-stopping vehicles. Managing and Organizing Comprehensive Highway Safety Dr.
Keith Knapp is the report facilitator for an international technology
scanning tour sponsored by the American Association of State
Transportation Officials and Federal Highway Administration (NCHRP Project
20-36). The primary focus of
the tour is how other countries decide what resources are spent in the
safety engineering, enforcement, and education areas. The tour is scheduled for March
2002, and will visit Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and England. Past Research Projects TSD staff has worked on the following research
projects at the UW-Madison or while working in past positions. ·
Effectiveness of Temporary Speed Humps. Iowa Department of
Transportation. Advisor for
ongoing thesis project at Iowa State University. ·
Systematic Identification of High Crash Location. Iowa Highway Research Board, Iowa
Department of Transportation. ·
The Safety and Operational Impacts of Winter Storm Events in
the Freeway Environment. Iowa
Highway Research Board, Iowa Department of Transportation. ·
Guidelines for the Conversion of Four-Lane Undivided
Roadways to Three-Lane Two-Way Left-Turn Lane Facilities – Phase 1. Iowa Department of
Transportation. ·
Traffic Safety and Engineering Informational Series. Iowa Department of
Transportation. ·
Iowa Traffic Control and Pavement Marking Handbook. Iowa Highway Research Board, Iowa
Department of Transportation. ·
Investigation
of Winter Weather Sport Utility Vehicle, Pick-up Truck, and Passenger Car
Speed Variability. Iowa State University graduate student
thesis. ·
Remote Sensing Applications in Transportation. Iowa State University graduate
student thesis. · Effectiveness of Roadway Safety Improvements. Iowa Department of Transportation.
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