Toll Facility Safety Study Report to Congress - About

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Toll Facility Safety Study Report to Congress Strategy Description Use variable message signs (VMS) to inform drivers of plaza conditions. Use digital signs in advance of plaza to indicate which lanes are currently ETC. Position maintenance trucks with flashing lights and flaggers at end of long queues. Create a buffer lane between bi-directional traffic where physical barriers do not exist. An increasing number of agencies are using variable message signs on the mainline to inform drivers of unexpected traffic conditions (e.g., incidents, maintenance, etc.). Few agencies use these signs specifically for plaza conditions. For plazas where lane configurations change throughout the day at least one agency has implemented the use of digital signs in advance of the plaza that indicate which lanes are ETC. Use high visibility maintenance trucks and / or flaggers at the end of long, unexpected queues that extend beyond the sight of the plaza. Informing Motorists of Lane Closures Include signs on gates upstream of the plaza to convey to motorists when a lane is closed. Mitigating Sensory Overload Determine sign messaging based on feedback from motorists. A number of plazas change the number of bidirectional lanes throughout the day and thus do not have physical separation between the travel directions. The use of a buffer lane (or unused lane) can help to separate these opposing traffic flows. While a number of agencies use no more than a traffic cone to indicate lane closures, others use more conspicuous indicators such as STOP signs, LANE CLOSED signs, large red X signs, etc. Make use of surveys, focus groups and other formal feedback mechanisms to design and select sign messages. Rankings from Workshop Participants and Comments on Effectiveness 26 Effective method of informing travelers of unexpected conditions. Received the highest number of top three votes as an effective strategy for reducing driver confusion (out of 16 strategies considered). Ranked 2 nd of 16 strategies considered for reducing driver confusion by workshop participants. Helps to move lane selection decision back to mainline lanes. Considered to be very effective when implemented, but ranked low by workshop participants. Felt to be an effective strategy if traffic demands and plaza capacity supported taking one lane out of operation. Tied for 15 th of the 16 strategies considered for reducing driver confusion by workshop participants. Signs are felt to work best in concert with physical gates. Strategy received the 5 th highest (out of 16) number of votes for most effective strategies by workshop participants. Ranked last of the solutions considered for reducing driver confusion by workshop participants. Concerns / Constraints Requires active surveillance and management. Expensive to install and maintain. Can create additional confusion. Must be actively updated. Added maintenance costs and issues. Resource-intensive. Many plazas do not have the excess capacity to support this. Signs may be difficult to affix current gates. May be expensive to retro-fit. Costly. Difficult to capture visitors’ inputs. Appendix H – Strategies H-18
Toll Facility Safety Study Report to Congress Strategy Description Ban the use of advertisements on or near plazas. Agencies have conflicting policies with regard to advertisements in and around toll plazas, with some even having ads on the booths themselves. This has created questions about information overload and caused a number of agencies to ban such signs. Increasing Conspicuity of Facilities and Workers Use signs to warn drivers about the potential for workers in the roadway. Use white strobe lights at plazas to highlight facilities during inclement weather. Many agencies use signs such as SLOW DOWN - PROTECT OUR WORKERS or pedestrian crossing signs to protect workers. A number of agencies use special lighting, such as strobe lighting, to increase the conspicuity of toll plazas, especially during inclement weather such as fog. Reducing the Incidence of Vehicles Stopping or Backing Up in High-Speed Lanes Use a tall barrier wall to prevent motorists in highspeed lanes from stopping and crossing lanes to staffed booths. Drivers who inadvertently enter ETC lanes or whose transponder malfunctions often exit their vehicles and cross lanes to reach staffed booths. The installation of taller barrier walls can help to cut down on this dangerous practice. Rankings from Workshop Participants and Comments on Effectiveness 26 Debates continue as to whether or not such advertisements contribute to unsafe conditions; however, the majority of agencies agree that having fewer signs contributes to increased safety. Ranked in the bottom 3 rd of all strategies considered for their effectiveness in reducing driver confusion by workshop participants. Ranked 3 rd of 30 solutions considered by workshop participants for reducing driver exposure. Collectors like them. May be most effective in areas with severe weather such as fog. Ranked 9 of 16 (tied) strategies considered for reducing driver confusion by workshop participants. Agencies that have implemented this practice have found it to be very effective in preventing customers from both crossing lanes and from stopping in the first place. Ranked 2 nd of 16 (tied with one other) strategies considered for reducing driver confusion by workshop participants. As a by-product, may cut down on rubber-necking. Concerns / Constraints Banning advertising reduces revenues. Adds to visual clutter and driver confusion. None identified. May limit ability to detect incidents and monitor ETC lanes. Appendix H – Strategies H-19
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Toll Facility Safety Study Report to Congress - About

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