Evaluation of Lighted Pavement Marker Stop Bars at Intersections with Light Rail Lines

Abstract

This paper presents an evaluation of the use of lighted pavement markers parallel to an intersection stop bar for three treatment intersections in Houston, Texas. The line of pavement markers was active, with a red light displayed from each marker during the red interval of the traffic signal. Each lighted pavement marker contained multiple LEDs, which operated such that each marker displayed an alternating wigwag pattern. The intended impact of the pavement markers was to reduce red light running violations and crashes on the intersection approach to an arterial that had an at-grade light rail line within its median. A before-and-after study was conducted to determine changes in crashes, red light running violations, and right turn on red violations at the study sites (right turns on red are prohibited at all the study sites). The analysis results showed that the lighted pavement markers reduced red light running violations at all three treatment sites, with two of the three reductions being statistically significant. Right turn on red violations were also reduced, and the reduction was statistically significant at all three treatment sites. A fourth site was chosen as a comparison (nontreatment) site, and the before-and-after study showed no notable change in the number of red light running violations or right turn on red violations at this site.

Innovative countermeasures for red light running prevention at signalized intersections: A driving simulator study

“…The effectiveness of countdown timers on red light running has also been evaluated in several other studies where potential decrease in RLVs was reported (Chiou & Chang, 2010;Kidwai et al, 2005;Limanond et al, 2010;Lum & Halim, 2006;Rijavec et al, 2013). Tydlacka et al (2011) investigated the effectiveness of lighted stop bar system (LSBS) installed parallel to the intersection stop line for three intersections in Houston, Texas. The LSBS containing red LED light units was operated in a steady burn mode during the red interval while it was deactivated during the yellow and green intervals.…”

Light Rail Transit Urban Insertion and Safety

“…A similar approach in Dublin to improve the awareness of road-vehicle drivers is presented in Figure 8, d and e. Flashing red road studs (to display with a red traffic signal; indicated by arrows) were provided in a junction after analysis indicated that the main cause of road traffic collisions there was the failure of vehicles to stop at the red traffic signal. The effectiveness of this solution in Houston, Texas, to avoid red-light running at LRT intersections was discussed by Tydlacka et al (15).…”