Preferences for Permitted and Protected Left-Turn Signal Displays

Twenty-two different signal displays for permitted and protected left turns were evaluated from a driver comprehension perspective. The objective was to identify which alternate signal displays used to convey the same left-turn message to the driver are better comprehended and therefore recommended for use in the field. Protected displays compliant with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices were found to be better comprehended than certain noncompliant displays; however, some noncompliant permitted displays were found to outperform their compliant counterparts. Regional comprehension biases are nonexistent for the most part, regardless of display compliance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Permitted left-turn signals using indications other than a steady green ball were found to enhance driver comprehension. The “Left Turn Must Yield on Green Ball” sign used with a “doghouse” display is beneficial during the permitted phase, but confusing when displayed during the protected left-and-through phase. Other supplemental signs used with various left-turn displays were also evaluated

An Evaluation of Age Effects on Driver Comprehension of Flashing Traffic Signal Indications using Multivariate Multiple Response Analysis of Variance Models

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to identify whether drivers comprehended traffic signals differently when turning left at signalized intersections where traffic signals were in “flashing mode” operation. Method:Multivariate multiple response analysis of variance models were used to analyze the simultaneous effects of displayed color combination, age, and geographical location on signal message interpretation. Data were gathered in a laboratory environment. Results: Left-turn and through-signal color combination had a significant effect on subject comprehension. Comprehension was found to be lowest for displays flashing red only, followed by displays flashing red on the left-turn, and yellow on the through-signal, with best comprehended displays flashing yellow only. No overall significant age effects were identified, with one minor exception. No geographical region effects were identified. Signal section arrangement and the use of an arrow or circular illuminated lens had no significant effect on comprehension. Discussion: Traffic signal displays in “flashing mode” operation were previously identified as the least well-comprehended displays for drivers turning left. The present effort identified that this is mainly due to displays flashing red indications on the through-signal. Comprehension of displays flashing yellow indications on the through-signal is comparable to that of permitted left-turn indications. Impact on the Industry: There is a need to develop alternatives for signal displays flashing red indications on the through-signal because a large percentage of drivers facing such indications mistakenly think they have the right-of-way when, in fact, they do not. However, use of such displays on minor streets intersecting major streets cannot currently be avoided when signals are placed in flashing operation. Practitioners using flashing signal operations need not be concerned about signal message comprehension differences among age groups. They can use any among the analyzed alternative signals that convey a given message without impacting signal message comprehension

Overtaking violations in left-turn lanes of rural roads

Overtaking is a high risk manoeuvre for road users, still drivers often accept this risk, moreover often commit irregular overtaking manoeuvres. The paper gives some overview on traffic violations and irregular overtaking manoeuvres. Left-turn lanes on the major road are usual elements of unsignalized at-grade junctions on two-lane roads outside urban areas. In several cases the left-turn lane, built for safety reasons, has the unintended negative effect, it becomes a dangerous spot. The paper analyses overtaking manoeuvres at left-turn lanes on Hungarian roads. Site surveys were completed at typical sites outside built-up areas. The frequency of irregular overtaking manoeuvres, geometric design, traffic volume, traffic mix and speed characteristics were registered at the intersections. Accident statistics have been collected. Relationships between the frequency of irregular manoeuvres, accident statistics, geometric parameters and traffic data are analysed. KEYWORDS: driver behaviour, left-turn lane, irregular overtaking, site survey, violatio

Virtual Skiing as an Art Installation

The Virtual Skiing game allows the user to immerse himself into the skiing sensation without using any obvious hardware interfaces. To achieve the movement down the virtual skiing slope the skier who stands on a pair of skis attached to the floor performs the same movements as on real skis, in particular this is the case on carving skis: tilting the body to the left initiates a left turn, tilting the body to the right initiates a right turn, by lowering the body, the speed is increased. The skier observes his progress down the virtual slope projected on the wall in front of him. The skier’s movements are recorded using a video camera placed in front of him and processed on a PC in real time to drive the projected animation of the virtual slope

Feasibility Of One–Dedicated–Lane Bus Rapid Transit ⁄Light–Rail Systems And Their Expansion To Two–Dedicated–Lane Systems: A Focus On Geometric Configuration And Performance Planning, MTI Report 08-01

This report consists primarily of two parts, the first on feasibility and the next on space minimization. In the section on feasibility, we propose the concept of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) or light–rail system that effectively requires only one dedicated but reversible lane throughout the system to support two-way traffic in the median of a busy commute corridor with regular provision of left–turn lanes. Based on key ideas proposed in that section, the section on space minimization first addresses how to implement a two–dedicated–lane BRT or light–rail system with minimum right–of–way width and then proposes ways to expand a one–dedicated–lane system to two dedicated lanes. In a one–dedicated–lane system, traffic crossing is accommodated on the otherwise unused or underused median space resulting from provision of the left–turn lanes. Although not necessary, some left–turn lanes can be sacrificed for bus stops. Conceptual design options and geometric configuration sketches for the bus stop and crossing space are provided in the section on feasibility, which also discusses system performance in terms of travel speed, headway of operations, distance between two neighboring crossing spaces, and number of crossing spaces. To ensure practicality, we study implementation of such a system on an existing corridor. Such a system is also useful as an intermediate step toward a two–dedicated–lane system because of its potential for facilitating transit–oriented development. In typical existing or planned BRT or light–rail systems implemented with two dedicated traffic lanes, a space equivalent to four traffic lanes is dedicated for a bus stop. In the section on space minimization, we propose implementations requiring only three lanes at a bus stop, based on two key ideas proposed for a one–dedicated–lane system. That section also discusses ways to expand a one–dedicated–lane system to its corresponding two–dedicated–lane system

The Media Activism of Latin America’s Leftist Governments: Does Ideology Matter?

Has Latin America’s left turn mattered in media politics? Does ideology impact governments’ practices and policies regarding media and journalistic institutions? Through an empirical assessment of discourses on the media, of direct-communication practices, and of media regulation policies on the part of the recent leftist governments of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Venezuela, this paper stresses the existence of a specific media activism on the part of leftist governments in Latin America. While showing that the current binary distinctions that stress the existence of two lefts—“populist” and “nonpopulist”—obscure important commonalities and continuities, the author also demonstrates that it is the existence of certain institutional and structural constraints that best accounts for the differ-ences among the various leftist governments in Latin America. In sum, the paper challenges the prevailing neglect of ideology as a relevant factor in explaining developments in gov-ernment–media relationships in the region.media, journalism, Latin America, government, ideology, leftism