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
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 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.

Related Content

  • US study finds cameras reduce red light running
    January 28, 2013
    The latest research by the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that red light running rates declined at Arlington, Virginia, intersections equipped with cameras. The decreases were particularly large for the most dangerous violations, those happening 1.5 seconds or longer after the light turned red. "This study provides fresh evidence that automated enforcement can get drivers to modify their behaviour," says Anne McCartt, senior vice president for research at IIHS and the study's lead au
  • GTT displays Canoga 9000 Series
    September 7, 2014
    GTT (Global Traffic Technologies) is unveiling its pioneering detection technology here at ITS World Congress Detroit. The company says best in class reliability and flexibility, specifically designed to address the challenges traffic professionals face today, are at the core of the new Canoga 9000 Series solutions design.
  • Crash prevention systems improving rapidly says IIHS
    June 2, 2014
    According to its latest report, less than a year into a new Insurance |Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings program for front crash prevention, auto manufacturers are making strides in adopting the most beneficial systems with automatic braking capabilities and are offering the features on a wider variety of models. Twenty-one of 24 cars and SUVs, all 2014 models unless noted, earn an advanced or higher rating in the latest round of IIHS evaluations. "We are already seeing improvements from automaker
  • Safeguarding cities against wrong-way drivers
    June 10, 2024
    Thermal imaging and artificial intelligence analytics provide the best path towards preventing deadly auto accidents, explains Stefaan Pinck of Flir