Citation

Goldblatt RB. Transp. Res. Rec. 1977; 644: 91-95.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1977, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study on the operational effects of various types of continuously and vehicle-actuated flashing traffic control devices performed at the Federal Highway Administration's Maine facility. Both electronic and manual data collection techniques were used. Five intersection and three advance warning device configurations were tested at the intersection of US-2 and Me-152. The use of continuously flashing intersection beacons along stopped approaches encourages speeds consistently lower than those achieved by STOP signs or vehicle-actuated intersection beacons. Certain vehicle-actuated advisory warning devices helped to reduce speed variance on major (nonstop) approaches. A vehicle-actuated STOP AHEAD beacon caused drivers to begin braking sooner than they would without a beacon. Reduced speed variance was also noted when the advance warning beacon was used. These effects disappeared if there was a beacon at the downstream intersection.