Improved speed-profile model for two-lane rural highways

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 1055-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Said M Easa
Keyword(s):  
Highway Safety ◽  
Extended Model ◽  
Speed Profile ◽  
Rural Highways ◽  
Profile Model ◽  
Horizontal Curves ◽  
Sight Distance ◽  
Safety Design ◽  
Speed Change ◽  
Design Consistency

The speed-profile model has been suggested as a valuable tool for evaluating geometric design consistency for two-lane rural highways with isolated and combined horizontal and vertical alignments. The model determines the operating speeds on the speed-change (SC) segment, which is the distance between speed-limiting curves. The speed-limiting curves are the horizontal curves and the limited sight-distance crest vertical curves on horizontal tangents, where the sight distance required by the design guides is not satisfied. The model assumes that deceleration begins where required, which implies that the next curve is visible when deceleration starts. This paper presents an extension to the speed-profile model to incorporate the effect of sight obstruction on operating speeds and deceleration rates. The SC segment may include nonlimited sight–distance crest vertical and sag vertical curves. These curves may present sight obstruction. A procedure to determine whether the sight line is obstructed is developed. If it does, simple formulas are applied for revising the operating-speed profile. The extended model is suitable for inclusion in the design consistency module of the interactive highway safety design model.Key words: speed profile, model, two-lane highways, alignments, design consistency.

Speed-Profile Model for Two-Lane Rural Highways

2000 ◽  
Vol 1737 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kay Fitzpatrick ◽  
Jon M. Collins
Keyword(s):  
Highway Safety ◽  
Geometric Features ◽  
Speed Profile ◽  
Model Design ◽  
Rural Highways ◽  
Profile Model ◽  
Safety Design ◽  
Acceleration And Deceleration ◽  
Speed Prediction ◽  
Design Consistency

Design consistency refers to highway geometry’s conformance with driver expectancy. Generally, drivers make fewer errors at geometric features that conform with their expectations. A proposed method for evaluating design consistency is to predict the speed along an alignment by using a speed-profile model. A speed-profile model was developed by using the following: speed prediction equations that calculate the expected speed at horizontal, vertical, or combination curves; assumed desired speed for the roadway; TWOPAS equations that determine the performance-limited speeds at every point; acceleration and deceleration rates; and several documented assumptions. The speed-profile model can be used to evaluate the design consistency of a facility or to generate a speed profile along an alignment. In conclusion, the speed-profile model developed appears to provide a suitable basis for the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model design consistency module.

Preliminary Validation of a Speed-Profile Model for Design Consistency Evaluation

1996 ◽  
Vol 1523 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kent M. Collins ◽  
Raymond A. Krammes
Keyword(s):  
Speed Profile ◽  
Rural Highways ◽  
Speed Reduction ◽  
Profile Model ◽  
Horizontal Curves ◽  
Preliminary Validation ◽  
Design Consistency ◽  
Consistency Evaluation

The validity of a speed-profile model for design consistency evaluation was tested, including (a) the speed reduction estimation ability of the model and (b) assumptions about deceleration and acceleration characteristics approaching and departing horizontal curves. Detailed speed data were collected at a sample of 10 horizontal tangent-curve sections on two-lane rural highways in Texas. The results indicate that the model provides a reasonable, albeit simplified, representation of speed profiles on horizontal alignments consisting of long tangents and isolated curves. The model provides reasonable estimates of speed reductions from long approach tangents to curves but does not account for the effect of nearby intersections on speeds. The results also indicate that the assumed 0.85 m/sec2 value is reasonable for deceleration rates approaching curves that require speed reductions but may overestimate acceleration rates departing curves. The model's assumptions that deceleration occurs entirely on the approach tangent and that speeds are constant throughout a curve were not confirmed by observed speed behavior. The observations that deceleration continues after entering a curve and that speed adjustments occur throughout a curve are indicators of the difficulty drivers experience in judging appropriate speeds through curves.

Speed-Profile Model for a Design-Consistency Evaluation Procedure in the United States

2000 ◽  
Vol 1701 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffery L. Ottesen ◽  
Raymond A. Krammes
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Evaluation Procedure ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Speed Profile ◽  
Evaluation Tool ◽  
Rural Highways ◽  
Profile Model ◽  
Horizontal Curves ◽  
Design Consistency

A speed-profile model for estimating 85th percentile speeds along horizontal alignments of rural two-lane highways in the United States is documented. The model is an evaluation tool to check for speed consistency violations on alignments with design speeds less than 100 km/h (62.1 mph). The model was calibrated by using speed and geometry data collected for 138 horizontal curves and 78 approach tangents on 29 rural highways in 5 states. A preliminary evaluation suggests that the model provides reasonable estimates of the reductions in 85th percentile speeds from an approach tangent to a horizontal curve.

Establishing highway horizontal alignment to maximize design consistency

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 1159-1168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Said M Easa ◽  
Atif Mehmood
Keyword(s):  
Geometric Features ◽  
Trial And Error ◽  
Highway Design ◽  
Rural Highways ◽  
Physical Constraints ◽  
Horizontal Alignment ◽  
Horizontal Curves ◽  
Decision Variables ◽  
Acceleration And Deceleration ◽  
Design Consistency

Highway design consistency is one of the important criteria in selecting the geometric features of proposed or existing alignments of two-lane rural highways. Operating-speed (OS) profile models have been used to evaluate design consistency by trial and error. For a proposed new highway, however, there may be geometric and physical constraints, and selection of these elements by trial and error to achieve optimal design consistency would be difficult, if not impossible. This paper presents an optimization model that establishes highway horizontal alignment to achieve maximum design consistency based on the OS profile. The decision variables of the model include radius of horizontal curves, spiral curve lengths, length of speed-change (SC) segments, and acceleration and deceleration rates. The objective function of the model minimizes the mean OS difference or the maximum OS difference for successive geometric features along the highway section. Application examples and sensitivity analysis are presented to illustrate the capabilities of the model in evaluating improvement strategies and to ensure that the model produces sound optimum alignments. The proposed model, which complements existing optimization models that mainly address highway construction cost, should be of interest to highway practitioners and engineers.Key words: design consistency, highway, geometric, horizontal alignment, optimization modeling, speed profile.

Speed Reduction as a Surrogate for Accident Experience at Horizontal Curves on Rural Two-Lane Highways

2000 ◽  
Vol 1701 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid B. Anderson ◽  
Raymond A. Krammes
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Statistical Relationship ◽  
Speed Profile ◽  
Horizontal Curve ◽  
Accident Rate ◽  
Speed Reduction ◽  
Profile Model ◽  
Horizontal Curves ◽  
The Mean

A proposed speed profile model was used to estimate the reduction in 85th percentile speeds from the approach tangent to the midpoint of 1,126 horizontal curve sites on rural two-lane highways in three states. The sites were divided into eight speed-reduction intervals, the mean accident rate and mean speed reduction were computed for each category, and linear regression was performed to analyze the statistical relationship between mean accident rate and mean speed reduction. Similar analyses were performed with degree-of-curvature intervals to compare mean degree of curvature and mean speed reduction as predictors of accident experience. The results suggest that estimated speed reduction is a useful measure that helps explain how accident experience at horizontal curves on rural two-lane highways varies with degree of curvature. Horizontal curves that require speed reductions [generally, curves sharper than about 4°, a condition that corresponds with design speeds less than 100 km/h (60 mph) and estimated 85th percentile speeds less than drivers’ desired speeds on long tangents] have higher accident rates than curves that do not require speed reductions. When curve sites are grouped into speed-reduction intervals, there is a statistically significant relationship between the intervals’ mean accident rate and mean speed reduction. The mean accident rate increases approximately linearly with the mean speed reduction.

scholarly journals Reliability-Based Analysis of Sight Distance Modelling for Traffic Safety

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
César de Santos-Berbel ◽  
Mohamed Essa ◽  
Tarek Sayed ◽  
María Castro
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Highway Design ◽  
Rural Highways ◽  
Horizontal Curves ◽  
Sight Distance ◽  
3D Methods ◽  
Geometric Elements

Sight distance is of the utmost importance for traffic safety. The consideration of three-dimensional (3D) available sight distance (ASD) in geometric design has been supported by several researchers. However, existing ASD estimation methods are two-dimensional (2D) in nature, which do not evaluate varying visibility conditions. This paper compares different methodologies of modelling the ASD. The ASD of 402 horizontal curves, located in twelve in-service two-lane rural highways, was analyzed. Three ASD estimation methods were used which include a 2D method and two different 3D methods. The ASD results obtained through 2D and 3D methodologies are compared. Also, the different conditions of the existing roadside features or geometric elements, under which the 3D ASD estimation is important, were identified. Next, reliability theory is utilized to evaluate the risk level (probability of noncompliance,Pnc) associated with limited sight distance for each ASD modelling method. The results of the comparison emphasized the importance of considering the 3D modelled sight distance when evaluating the associated risk either in highway design or during the service life. In addition, the results indicated that the ASD modelling approach can have a significant impact on the estimation of the safety of highway design.

Evaluating Horizontal Alignment Design Consistency of Two-Lane Rural Highways: Development of New Procedure

2000 ◽  
Vol 1737 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
John McFadden ◽  
Lily Elefteriadou
Keyword(s):  
Primary Objective ◽  
Maximum Speed ◽  
Operating Speed ◽  
Speed Profile ◽  
Horizontal Curve ◽  
Rural Highways ◽  
Speed Reduction ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Design Consistency

Design consistency refers to the condition wherein the roadway geometry does not violate driver expectations. Operating-speed profile models are used to evaluate the consistency of a design by identifying locations with large speed variability between successive design elements. There is a direct correlation between safety and variability in speeds. Recent operating-speed models predict the 85th percentile speeds on horizontal curves and compare this value with the expected 85th percentile speed on the approach tangent. There is a direct correlation between speed variability between successive design elements and crash rates. Eighty-fifth percentile speeds, however, do not necessarily represent the speed reductions experienced by drivers. The primary objective of the research was to assess the efficacy of the use of 85th percentile speed by operating-speed profile models to evaluate the consistency of a design. Speed data were collected at 21 horizontal curve sites. These data were used to evaluate the implication of using 85th percentile speed for evaluating design consistency. A new parameter was investigated for analyzing design consistency: the 85th percentile maximum reduction in speed (85MSR). This parameter is calculated by using each driver’s speed profile from an approach tangent through a horizontal curve and determining the maximum speed reduction each driver experiences. These maximum speed reductions are sorted, and the 85th percentile value becomes the statistic of interest, or 85MSR. 85MSR was compared with the difference in 85th percentile speeds (85S), and it was found that 85MSR is significantly larger than 85S. The data showed that, on average, 85MSR is approximately two times larger than 85S. Models were developed that predict 85MSR as a function of geometric design elements, and these models could be used to complement existing operating-speed models.

Interactive Highway Safety Design Model: Issues Related to Driver Modeling

1998 ◽  
Vol 1631 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
William H. Levison
Keyword(s):  
Decision Processes ◽  
Highway Safety ◽  
Design Model ◽  
Accident Analysis ◽  
Policy Review ◽  
Federal Highway ◽  
Safety Design ◽  
Design Consistency ◽  
And Control ◽  
Geometric Designs

The Federal Highway Administration has undertaken a multiyear project to develop the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM), which is a set of software tools to analyze candidate highway geometric designs from a safety standpoint. The IHSDM is envisioned to contain five analysis tools or “modules”: (1) policy review, (2) design consistency, (3) accident analysis, (4) traffic analysis, and (5) driver/vehicle analysis. The structure of the driver/vehicle module is reviewed, with emphasis on the driver component. Modeling issues regarding decision and control are discussed. Major issues include (1) perceptual and decision processes in planning speed and path profiles during curve approach and curve negotiation, and (2) nonlinear versus linear aspects of control.

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