Effectiveness of Lane Direction Arrows as Pavement Markings in Reducing Wrong-Way Movements on Two-Way Frontage Roads

Abstract

The principal objective of this research was to conduct a before-and-after study of the impacts of using lane direction arrows on a two-way frontage road to determine if the arrows could reduce wrong-way movements for vehicles exiting the freeway. A recent national survey related to all-white pavement markings indicated that 94% of the 851 drivers surveyed correctly interpreted the intended meaning of the arrows to indicate the proper lanes for travel. The authors believed that this high comprehension rate could be useful in helping drivers at locations where a potential for driving in the wrong direction exists. Video surveillance of a two-way frontage road before and after installation of lane direction pavement marking arrows was conducted. It was observed that at the selected location, approximately one of every 13 drivers exiting the freeway to the frontage road acted as though the frontage road were a one-way section and incorrectly chose the left lane for travel. Significant reductions were observed in wrong-way driving after the installation of two lane direction pavement marking arrows downstream from the exit ramp. After the installation, only one of 150 vehicles selected the incorrect lane. Researchers concluded that lane direction pavement marking arrows had a beneficial effect on safety at the study location and recommended expanded efforts to determine other locations that could benefit from this treatment. Although the evaluation was limited to one study site, the strength of the results suggests that the treatment would be beneficial at other similar locations.

In-Depth Investigation of Wrong-Way Crashes on Divided Highways in Alabama with Use of the Haddon Matrix and Field Observations

“…Countermeasures strive to provide positive warnings to drivers at the earliest decision points after they begin to travel in the wrong direction or to provide supplemental warnings, or both (10). Common WWD countermeasures include engineering [e.g., signage, pavement marking, roadway geometry, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS)]; enforcement (e.g., emergency response, confinement, and radio messages); and education (e.g., training) (12,13).…”

“…Such countermeasures differ in their feasibility, applicability, effectiveness, implementation priority, and cost. A combination of them may reduce wrong-way crashes (10)(11)(12)(13). Tables 1 and 2 show applicable engineering and enforcement countermeasures to WWD on divided highways .…”

Wrong-Way Driving Prevention

“…The North Texas Toll Authority also recommended that WWD countermeasures be inspected frequently to ensure that they are visible and working properly, that public education of WWD countermeasures be increased, and that active law enforcement be maintained to catch detected wrong-way drivers as quickly as possible (16). Another Texas study investigated the effects of pavement marking arrows at a site in College Station; it was found that installation of lane direction arrows downstream from the exit ramp reduced WWD on the two-way frontage road (17).…”

Red Retroreflective Raised Pavement Markings

“…There are some agencies, such as the State of Hawaii and surrounding U.S. territories, that use red RRPMs on undivided highways to mark wrong-way direction on two-way roadways (the red RRPMs are installed on the far edge line). This application is used because of frequent tourists from countries with left-hand drive (e.g., Aus-METHODOLOGY Initially, a number of studies focused on drivers' understanding of pavement markings were reviewed for their approach and specific results (3)(4)(5)(6)(7). Beyond the review of pertinent literature, the researchers also contemplated using in-vehicle testing techniques on closedcourse facilities or even on the open road.…”

“…In addition, treatments were chosen that included pavement marking arrows, as they serve a similar purpose to that of the red RRPMs in Hawaii: to aid drivers in interpreting the intended direction of travel. Research has shown that pavement marking arrows improve driver understanding of the intended direction of travel (7). The different pavement marking layouts were subdivided into five roadway configurations, and the 20 layouts are listed and described in detail in Table 1.…”