Modeling of Guide Sign Illumination and Retroreflectivity to Improve Driver's Visibility and Safety

Modeling of Guide Sign Illumination and Retroreflectivity to Improve Driver's Visibility and Safety PDF Author: Mohammed Obeidat
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
This dissertation is the result of studying different methods of increasing guide sign visibility and legibility to drivers during nighttime, to increase safety on roadways. It also studies intersection lighting to indicate the lighting benefits on nighttime crash frequency reduction. From a survey conducted, practices related to overhead guide sign illumination and retroreflectivity in United States were summarized. A laboratory experiment was conducted to compare light distribution of five light sources: Metal Halide, Mercury Vapor, High Pressure Sodium, induction lighting, and Light Emitting Diode (LED). Cost analysis of the five light sources was performed. Combining results of the laboratory experiment and the cost analysis, induction lighting was recommended for states that want to continue external sign illumination. A retroreflectivity experiment was conducted to compare three types of retroreflective sheeting: Engineering Grade (type I), Diamond Grade (type XI), and High Intensity (type IV), to determine the sheeting that best increases visibility and legibility. Diamond Grade (type XI) was found to be the optimal sheeting that increases visibility and legibility to drivers during nighttime. A glare experiment was conducted to expand the retroreflectivity experiment results. Four sheeting-font combinations of High Intensity (type IV) and Diamond Grade (type XI) materials and Series E (Modified) and Clearview fonts were compared. Results revealed an optimal sheeting-font combination of Diamond Grade (type XI) sheeting and Clearview font which increases the visibility and legibility of guide signs to drivers under presence of oncoming glare source. The Highway Safety Information System (HSIS) database was used to study the effect of intersection lighting on the expected crash frequency. Illuminated intersections showed 3.61% and 6.54% decrease in the expected nighttime crash frequency as compared to dark intersections in Minnesota and California, respectively. In addition, partial lighting at intersections decreases the expected nighttime crash frequency by 4.72% compared to continuous lighting in Minnesota. The recommended sheeting-font combination for Departments of Transportation was Diamond Grade (type XI) and Clearview. This combination will increase signs' visibility and legibility to drivers, and consequently increase safety on roadways. Adding partial lighting at intersections will reduce the expected nighttime crash frequency, and increase safety on roadways.

Modeling of Guide Sign Illumination and Retroreflectivity to Improve Driver's Visibility and Safety

Modeling of Guide Sign Illumination and Retroreflectivity to Improve Driver's Visibility and Safety PDF Author: Mohammed Obeidat
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
This dissertation is the result of studying different methods of increasing guide sign visibility and legibility to drivers during nighttime, to increase safety on roadways. It also studies intersection lighting to indicate the lighting benefits on nighttime crash frequency reduction. From a survey conducted, practices related to overhead guide sign illumination and retroreflectivity in United States were summarized. A laboratory experiment was conducted to compare light distribution of five light sources: Metal Halide, Mercury Vapor, High Pressure Sodium, induction lighting, and Light Emitting Diode (LED). Cost analysis of the five light sources was performed. Combining results of the laboratory experiment and the cost analysis, induction lighting was recommended for states that want to continue external sign illumination. A retroreflectivity experiment was conducted to compare three types of retroreflective sheeting: Engineering Grade (type I), Diamond Grade (type XI), and High Intensity (type IV), to determine the sheeting that best increases visibility and legibility. Diamond Grade (type XI) was found to be the optimal sheeting that increases visibility and legibility to drivers during nighttime. A glare experiment was conducted to expand the retroreflectivity experiment results. Four sheeting-font combinations of High Intensity (type IV) and Diamond Grade (type XI) materials and Series E (Modified) and Clearview fonts were compared. Results revealed an optimal sheeting-font combination of Diamond Grade (type XI) sheeting and Clearview font which increases the visibility and legibility of guide signs to drivers under presence of oncoming glare source. The Highway Safety Information System (HSIS) database was used to study the effect of intersection lighting on the expected crash frequency. Illuminated intersections showed 3.61% and 6.54% decrease in the expected nighttime crash frequency as compared to dark intersections in Minnesota and California, respectively. In addition, partial lighting at intersections decreases the expected nighttime crash frequency by 4.72% compared to continuous lighting in Minnesota. The recommended sheeting-font combination for Departments of Transportation was Diamond Grade (type XI) and Clearview. This combination will increase signs' visibility and legibility to drivers, and consequently increase safety on roadways. Adding partial lighting at intersections will reduce the expected nighttime crash frequency, and increase safety on roadways.

Overhead Guide Sign Retroreflectivity and Illumination

Overhead Guide Sign Retroreflectivity and Illumination PDF Author: Mohammed Obeidat
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Reflective materials
Languages : en
Pages : 128

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Book Description
Roadway guide sign visibility during darkness is fundamental to driver safety, especially elderly drivers. Guide sign visibility can be improved by external sign illumination or the use of retroreflective sheeting on signs. Because energy conservation is essential in the midst of a worldwide energy crisis, various Departments of Transportation have investigated usage of energy-efficient lighting technology with overhead guide signs. This report presents results of a survey related to overhead sign lighting usability by states, a laboratory experiment to compare the light distribution of five light sources used to illuminate overhead guide sign by several states, a cost analysis for the tested light sources, a field experiment to compare the visibility of three retroreflective sheeting used by states, a cost analysis for the tested retroreflective guide signs, and an analysis by determining the most cost-effective method of increasing overhead guide sign visibility to drivers during nighttime. A laboratory experiment was conducted to compare the light distribution of three conventional light sources: Metal Halide, Mercury Vapor, and High Pressure Sodium, and two new generation light sources: Induction lighting, and Light Emitting Diode. Combining two decision criteria, the light distribution and the cost, resulted in finding the Induction lighting to be the recommended light source for those states that want to continue illuminating their overhead guide signs. A field experiment was conducted to compare three types of sign sheeting, Engineering Grade (type I), Diamond Grade (type XI), and High Intensity (type IV), in order to determine the sign sheeting material that best improves sign visibility. Combining the decision criteria to compare these three retroreflective sheeting, the visibility and the cost, High Intensity (type IV) is the recommended sign to be used by DOTs, followed by Diamond Grade (type XI). In comparing the best options used to increase sign visibility, sign illumination and sign retroreflectivity, it is found that using retroreflective sheeting is more cost effective than sign illuminating.

Retroreflectivity of Roadway Signs for Adequate Visibility

Retroreflectivity of Roadway Signs for Adequate Visibility PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Automobile driving at night
Languages : en
Pages : 60

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Book Description
This manual deals with the reflectivity of traffic signs. It interprets and explains the specifications and test procedures in the standard specifications for construction of roads and bridges on federal highway projects (fp-85) dealing with retroreflective sheeting and related matters and provides guidance where appropriate. Topics covered include: 1) principles of retroreflection and characteristics of sign reflective sheeting. 2) Considerations in selecting different sheeting types. 3) Fp-85 specifications and test procedures. 4) Sign fabrication. 5) Handling, stockpiling, and installing. 6) Inventory, inspection, and replacement. 7) Maintenance.

Federally Coordinated Program of Highway Research, Development and Technology

Federally Coordinated Program of Highway Research, Development and Technology PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 78

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Federally Coordinated Program of Highway Research, Development, and Technology. Annual Progress Report. Fiscal Year 1985

Federally Coordinated Program of Highway Research, Development, and Technology. Annual Progress Report. Fiscal Year 1985 PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 704

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Book Description


Roundabouts

Roundabouts PDF Author: Lee August Rodegerdts
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISBN: 0309155118
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 407

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Book Description
TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 672: Roundabouts: An Informational Guide - Second Edition explores the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of roundabouts. The report also addresses issues that may be useful in helping to explain the trade-offs associated with roundabouts. This report updates the U.S. Federal Highway Administration's Roundabouts: An Informational Guide, based on experience gained in the United States since that guide was published in 2000.

Traffic Engineering Handbook

Traffic Engineering Handbook PDF Author: ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers)
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118762304
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 688

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Book Description
Get a complete look into modern traffic engineering solutions Traffic Engineering Handbook, Seventh Edition is a newly revised text that builds upon the reputation as the go-to source of essential traffic engineering solutions that this book has maintained for the past 70 years. The updated content reflects changes in key industry standards, and shines a spotlight on the needs of all users, the design of context-sensitive roadways, and the development of more sustainable transportation solutions. Additionally, this resource features a new organizational structure that promotes a more functionally-driven, multimodal approach to planning, designing, and implementing transportation solutions. A branch of civil engineering, traffic engineering concerns the safe and efficient movement of people and goods along roadways. Traffic flow, road geometry, sidewalks, crosswalks, cycle facilities, shared lane markings, traffic signs, traffic lights, and moreā€”all of these elements must be considered when designing public and private sector transportation solutions. Explore the fundamental concepts of traffic engineering as they relate to operation, design, and management Access updated content that reflects changes in key industry-leading resources, such as the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM), Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), AASSHTO Policy on Geometric Design, Highway Safety Manual (HSM), and Americans with Disabilities Act Understand the current state of the traffic engineering field Leverage revised information that homes in on the key topics most relevant to traffic engineering in today's world, such as context-sensitive roadways and sustainable transportation solutions Traffic Engineering Handbook, Seventh Edition is an essential text for public and private sector transportation practitioners, transportation decision makers, public officials, and even upper-level undergraduate and graduate students who are studying transportation engineering.

Federally Coordinated Program of Highway Research and Development

Federally Coordinated Program of Highway Research and Development PDF Author: United States. Federal Highway Administration
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Highway research
Languages : en
Pages : 516

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Book Description


Minimum Retroreflectivity Levels for Overhead Guide Signs and Street-name Signs

Minimum Retroreflectivity Levels for Overhead Guide Signs and Street-name Signs PDF Author: Paul John Carlson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Reflectance
Languages : en
Pages : 110

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Book Description


Roadway Lighting Design Guide

Roadway Lighting Design Guide PDF Author: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
Publisher: AASHTO
ISBN: 156051325X
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 134

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Book Description
This guide replaces the 1984 publication entitled An Informational Guide for Roadway Lighting. It has been revised and brought up to date to reflect current practices in roadway lighting. The guide provides a general overview of lighting systems from the point of view of the transportation departments and recommends minimum levels of quality. The guide incorporates the illuminance and luminance design methods, but does not include the small target visibility (STV) method.