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Toll Facility Safety Study Report to Congress Posting speed limits at each lane as reminder to motorists as shown in Figure 4-26. This is especially helpful in situations where the speed limit varies by lane. Using regulatory speed limit signs instead of advisory speed limit signs where possible. Using temporary or permanent digital signs displaying real-time speeds of motorists. Some use these signs in the area upstream of the plaza while others use them at the plaza area itself. Using pavement markings to lower speeds. The NYS Thruway makes use of transverse yellow pavement markings that are spaced progressively closer to give motorists the illusion that they are increasing speed even when they are maintaining a constant speed (as shown in Figure 4-27). 4.3 Maintenance Practices There are a variety of strategies in use across Figure 4-27. The Use of Transverse Pavement Markings to Reduce Speeding the country specifically to reduce the occurrence of incidents and injuries related to maintenance activities in and around toll plazas. Some of these strategies include: Requiring the use of attenuator trucks for all maintenance activities that require a lane closure. Placing “Your Speed Is” dynamic signs on the rear of attenuator trucks to slow down vehicles in the vicinity of maintenance activities. Positioning cameras on the roadside rather than overhead (with the use of side-fire cameras), allowing maintenance activities to take place away from the travel lanes. Requiring maintenance workers to use a “buddy” system (i.e., a worker never goes out alone so that there is always another worker to watch for unsafe traffic conditions. Positioning qualified flagging personnel and maintenance trucks with flashing lights at the rear of traffic back-ups whenever the queue stretches beyond sight of the plaza. This technique is used to reduce the occurrence of rear-end collisions. Equipping maintenance vehicles with partial red lights (i.e., amber on front, red on back) to give motorists the impression of enforcement presence. The PANY/NJ believes that this has helped them successfully lower speeds around incidents and maintenance work. Beyond this strict definition of ORT, a number of agencies have implemented what might best be termed hybrid ORT operations: that is, they include a combination of mainline, full-speed ETC along with fully separated cash lanes. Typically, cash-paying customers must exit the roadway or shift to a separated toll plaza in order to make cash payment at a traditional, staffed plaza. An example of Findings – Factors Affecting Safety at Toll Plazas Page 36
Toll Facility Safety Study Report to Congress this is shown in Figure 4-5 above. This type of arrangement can also present some new challenges that are worthy of discussion. 4.3.1 Maintenance Activities with Open Road Tolling One potential safety-related drawback to ORT (both fully “open road” and hybrid-ORT) is equipment maintenance since, in most cases, repairs that take place over the roadway would require that all lanes be closed. However, the Florida Turnpike has addressed this concern with a unique overhead gantry design that allows maintenance workers access to equipment without closing lanes or disturbing traffic (see Figure 4-28). The gantry provides an area large enough for maintenance employees to work above the roadway, and all ETC equipment is positioned on a lever that allows workers to pull the equipment up into the work area. Additionally, there is a screen shielding workers from passing motorists to avoid distraction, and there is a fine mesh material at the base of the gantry below the work area to prevent the danger of debris dropping onto the traffic below during maintenance activities. 4.4 Human Factors Issues There are a variety of strategies in use across the country that specifically address human factors issues. Some of these strategies include reducing the incidence of vehicles stopping or backing up in high-speed lanes, mitigating sensory overload, and mitigating driver inattention as discussed in the following sections. 4.4.1 Reducing the Incidence of Vehicles Stopping or Backing Up in High- Speed Lanes Some agencies have deployed mitigation strategies that are aimed at preventing vehicles from stopping in high-speed lanes. For example: Implementing public education campaigns to familiarize drivers with the concept of ETC. Installing a tall barrier wall to prevent motorists in high-speed lanes from stopping and crossing to staffed booths. Removing driver violation warning Figure 4-28. Florida Turnpike’s Overhead Gantry for ORT Allows for Maintenance Activities without Road Closure Figure 4-29. “DO NOT BACK UP” Sign to Reduce Unsafe Motorist Behavior Findings – Factors Affecting Safety at Toll Plazas Page 37
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Toll Facility Safety Study Report to Congress - About

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