Skip to main content

Study shows curve warning systems ‘reduce crashes’

A study by the US Federal Highway Administration’s Highways for Life has found a small but consistent reductions in mean and 85 percentile speeds on dangerous bends through the use of Tapco’s BlinkerChevron dynamic curve warning and guidance system (DCWGS) instead of static warning signs. The system's detects oncoming vehicles up to 90m (300ft) from the curve and will trigger the flashing LEDs on the signs if the vehicle’s speed exceed a predetermined level to warn the driver of the dangerous curves with e
February 24, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
RSSA study by the US Federal Highway Administration’s Highways for Life has found a small but consistent reductions in mean and 85 percentile speeds on dangerous bends through the use of 989 Tapco’s BlinkerChevron dynamic curve warning and guidance system (DCWGS) instead of static warning signs.

The system's detects oncoming vehicles up to 90m (300ft) from the curve and will trigger the flashing LEDs on the signs if the vehicle’s speed exceed a predetermined level to warn the driver of the dangerous curves with each chevron flashing sequentially.

Set up to examine improving safety performance on rural horizontal curves, the study concluded that ‘overall, the sign appeared to be effective in reducing speed and crashes’. Analysis showed a reduction in vehicles exceeding the speed limit or advisory speed limit by 5, 10, 15, or 20 mph, and particularly in the higher ranges.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Adaptive cruise control would suppress traffic instability
    March 20, 2014
    Professor Berthold Horn of Massachusetts Institute of Technology believes a modified adaptive cruise control could mitigate phantom traffic jamsthat occur for no apparent reason. The phenomenon of the phantom traffic jam is all too common: they appear for no apparent reason and, having caused frustrating delays for all travelers, evaporate for an equally mystical reason. Phantom traffic jams usually occur on busy highways and often take the form of repeatedly stopping and then accelerating up to near the
  • Increased automation is already improving road safety
    April 20, 2017
    Richard Cuerden considers how many of the technologies developed as part of a move toward autonomous vehicles are already being deployed as ADAS improve road safety. The drive to create autonomous vehicles has caused a re-evaluation of what is needed to safely navigate today’s roads and the development of systems that can replace the driver in many scenarios. However, many manufacturers are not waiting for ‘tomorrow’ and are already incorporating these systems in their new cars as Advanced Driver Assistanc
  • SCATS study shows significant savings
    December 16, 2013
    Australian study quantifies the benefits of SCATS to the motorists, the environment and the economy. Opportunity weekday cost savings potential of some AUD16 million (US$15.2 million) has emerged from rigorous analysis of a one-day study of Australia’s Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System (SCATS) in operation. This represents 27% of the total cost of a real alternative semi-adaptive traffic control. The estimated indicative annual weekday-based value is AUD3,900 million (US$3,705 million) or 0.9% of t
  • Improving, integrating weather monitoring for safer roads
    February 6, 2012
    Paul Pisano, USDOT Federal Highway Administration, and Charles Harris, Noblis Inc, chart progress in the US of Maintenance Decision Support Systems for winter maintenance and weather management