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Early research suggested protected left-turn signalization had clear safety benefits over permissive left-turn signalization. Yet, subsequent research on when and where to use protected left-turn signalization focused more on vehicle delay and throughput than on safety. Based on such studies, it would...
Extreme wind conditions can be a formidable foe to both highway and driver safety. Strong gusts increase the likelihood of wind-induced vehicle crashes, especially for high-sided vehicles (i.e., semi-trucks) in the United States. Current understanding of wind loads on high-sided vehicles comes mostly...
During area-wide episodes of poor air quality, people may reduce their transportation-related emissions by driving less, reducing their exposure to emissions by walking/bicycling less, or going about their lives as usual. These three reactions have different consequences for transportation, health, and...
An efficient and safe transportation system is essential to communities during the long-term recovery period after earthquakes. A disrupted transportation network due to infrastructure damage or failure affects the functionality of the traffic system and poses increased traffic safety risks. A rational...
The rapid increase in traffic volume and heavy vehicle loads is causing accelerated deterioration of pavement infrastructure worldwide. This research investigates the impact of overweight and dynamic axle loads on pavement performance, employing advanced weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems and machine learning...
Transportation planning, traffic monitoring, and traffic safety analysis require detailed information about pedestrian volumes, but such data are usually lacking. Fortunately, recent research has demonstrated the accuracy of pedestrian volumes estimated from push-button data contained within high-resolution...
Understanding ramp queue length and queuing time is important for transportation agencies to manage and operate the ramps with optimum performance. Since these data are collected with conventional sensor systems such as coils, they are prone to error, especially during traffic congestion. The increased...
Annually, many injuries and fatal crashes happen on local rural roads in North Dakota. The local road safety program (LRSP) strategy has been proven effective in reducing crashes on these roads. It relies on state engagement with local stakeholders to collectively reduce crash injuries in their communities....
Mitigating congestion at urban traffic system intersections following major hazards and incidents is a crucial step to maximize the evacuation, rescue and recovery efficiency and prevent a hazard from turning into a disaster. An optimized traffic signal design strategy can effectively contribute to maintaining...
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) needs to respond quickly and adapt to the coronavirus (COVID-19) to ensure continuation of critical infrastructure support and relief for the American people. Since early March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impact on traffic across the United...