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

  • Report: Invest now in fuel cell vehicles?
    April 24, 2015
    According to IDTechEx, there is divided opinion on future of traction fuel cells in electric vehicles, though few argue any more that they will power the majority of electric vehicles (EVs). Nonetheless some manufacturers are very enthusiastic and now could be the beginning of the end of the trough of disillusionment, indeed the time to invest, as analysed in the IDTechEx report Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles 2015-2030: Land, Water, Air. A comparison of views by IDTechEx) found that Toyota, Nissan, Honda,
  • Major New York transit sign order for Daktronics
    November 9, 2015
    Daktronics is to supply the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit with 630 digital rail platform displays, to be installed by the July 2017. The multi-coloured LED displays, part of the subway system's Public Address Customer Information System (PACIS), will feature next train arrival and destination information as well as graphical information. A text to speech function aids visually impaired transit riders with clear and easy to access messaging. According to Daktronics,
  • Variable speed limit signs deployed in Canada
    June 10, 2016
    The British Columbia government in Canada has deployed variable speed limit signs along three highways in the province, Highway 99, Highway 5, and Highway 1, which are prone to rapidly changing weather..Variable speed limit signs display the legal speed limit when road and weather conditions change. From 2 June, motorists are required to obey the signs, which are regulatory and enforced by the police. Static message signs at the entrance to each corridor inform travellers they are entering a variable
  • Sweden winning over doubters
    December 4, 2012
    Comparatively little negative comment has been made in Swedish media with regard to the country’s widespread speed enforcement, according to project manager Eva Lundberg of Trafikverket, Sweden’s Transport dministration. Lundberg is due to give a presentation at the Vienna World Congress special session on enforcement, probably with more than a passing word on public acceptance. Trafikverket has put a lot of work into its Vision Zero road safety strategy over the past few years; much of it targeting reducti