Modeling Wrong-Way Driving Entries at Limited Access Facility Exit Ramps in Florida

Abstract

Wrong-way driving (WWD) is a dangerous behavior which poses a significant safety risk on limited access facilities. As WWD crashes are rare, it is difficult to build credible statistical models based solely on crashes. Modeling other WWD events, such as citations and 911 calls, can result in more reliable models. Even though these WWD events do not always result in a crash, they can be an effective surrogate for WWD crashes. Analysis of Florida limited access exit ramps found that ramps with multiple WWD crashes from 2011 to 2015 tended to have more WWD citations and 911 calls (WWD entries). Additionally, areas with high WWD crash densities also had high WWD entry densities and 68% of WWD crashes had an associated citation, 911 call, or both. These results show that modeling WWD entries can provide insights into WWD crashes. A model was developed for Florida limited access facilities to identify roadway factors and traffic characteristics of exit ramp terminals that influence WWD entries. This model indicated that interchange type, intersection angle of exit ramp terminals, presence of tolling at the entrance ramp, presence of a channelizing island between the exit ramp lanes, number of lanes on the exit ramp, area (rural or urban), and traffic volumes significantly affect the likelihood of WWD entries at exit ramps. With this model, transportation agencies can better predict WWD entries at exit ramps; identify suitable locations for possible countermeasures; and improve their current design, signing, and pavement marking practices while still following national and state standards.

Benefit–Cost Analyses of Rectangular Flashing Beacon Wrong-Way Driving Countermeasures on Toll Road Exit Ramps in Florida

“…Instead, comparison group before–after analyses (like in Method 2) were used to determine the reductions in WWD citations and 911 calls at the treatment sites. Previous research by the authors has shown that WWD citations and 911 calls are a suitable surrogate for WWD crashes ( 13 ). Average crash and injury savings were calculated for WWD citations and 911 calls based on the relationship and overlap between WWD crashes and these events.…”

“…This research included a benefit-cost analysis of these LED WWD countermeasures resulting in a benefit-cost ratio of 13.1, however details of this analysis were not found (12). UCF researchers have built models to predict WWD crashes and non-crash events using various roadway characteristics and driver demographics, developed an optimization approach to help agencies effectively deploy WWD countermeasures, surveyed drivers and law enforcement officers about WWD behavior, analyzed the factors that affect law enforcement response time to WWD events, and evaluated LED and RFB WWD countermeasures installed on toll roads in South and Central Florida (1,(5)(6)(7)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21). However, none of this previous research involved benefit-cost analyses of ITS WWD countermeasures.…”

Using Wrong-Way Driving Detection Data to Identify Factors That Affect Wrong-Way Driving Behavior and Compare Detection Technologies

“…The effects of exit ramp terminal design on WWD crashes at full diamond and partial cloverleaf interchanges have also been studied, with results showing that having non-traversable medians on the crossing road, reducing the exit ramp throat width, and having a wide median between adjacent exit and entrance ramps could reduce WWD crashes (11). To better understand WWD characteristics, the authors of this current paper from the University of Central Florida (UCF) have previously considered non-crash WWD events (WWD citations and 911 calls) and developed models to predict WWD crashes based on these non-crash WWD events, traffic volumes, and interchange designs; predict non-crash WWD events based on exit ramp characteristics; and predict WWD crashes and citations based on driver and regional characteristics (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). However, no previous research has modeled WWD detection data, which provide the most accurate picture of WWD frequency and behavior.…”

Statewide Application of Wrong-Way Driving Crash Risk Modeling and Countermeasures Optimization Algorithm to Identify Optimal Locations for Countermeasure Deployment on Florida Limited Access Facilities

“…Research has also been done on modeling WWD events to determine significant factors and hotspot locations. The authors of this paper developed many models to predict WWD crashes, citations, and entries for Florida limited access facilities ( 19 – 24 ). Some of these models were incorporated into a WWD countermeasures optimization approach to identify exits with high WWCR on CFX and FTE toll roads ( 5 , 6 ).…”