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Countermeasures to Reduce Red-Light Running
Vincent Reynolds, P.E.
Overview
Red-light running is one of the primary causes of
crashes in intersections. The crashes that result from red-light violations are
generally more severe than crashes from other causes. Most crashes that are
caused by red-light violations are generally side impact crashes, which are more
severe than rear collisions. There are three main countermeasures that can be
taken to reduce red-light running. The three main countermeasures are
enforcement, engineering, and education. This course will focus on all three
countermeasures and how they can be used to reduce red-light running.
Although red-light running is a serious problems
there are steps that could be taken to reduce this problem. This 8 hour online
course will explore the various uses of enforcement, engineering and education
that can be used to make intersections safer. Although different in nature these
three countermeasures, when used concurrently will be most effective in making
signalized intersections safer.
This course will provide the reader with the
knowledge to utilize all three countermeasures that are presented in detail.
This course will probably be read by the engineer gaining valuable pdh credits;
however it is presented so that anyone with an interest in this important
subject can be educated. For the engineer please share this valuable information
with your colleagues, for the public and law-enforcement, please share this
information with your colleagues.
The course materials are based solely on the informational report “Making
Intersections Safer: A toolbox of engineering countermeasures to reduce
red-light running” as found on the Website of the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA).
The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of forty (40) questions
at the end of the course to obtain PDH credits.
Specific Knowledge or Skill Attained
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and
skills:
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Three main countermeasures to reduce red-light running
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Crash and fatality statistics and economic losses related to red-light running
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Demographics of red-light runners
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Why
a signal is sometimes not needed
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How
speed plays a factor in red-light running
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Advantages and disadvantages of roundabouts
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How
pedestrians can play a part in controlling red-light runners
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What
is a “red-light hold” system and how does it work
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The
eight-stage process used by North Carolina to control red-light running
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Differences in how police, research and engineering address red-light running
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The
best way to determine if there is indeed a red-light running problem
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The
role of back plates for red-lights
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Definitions of yellow and red change intervals
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How
injury rates from red-light running compares to other crash types
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Future needs for understanding red-light running
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Uses
of Rat Boxes intersections
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Items to check during a site review
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Importance of Line of standard kinematic equation to calculate the change
interval
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How
rumble strips can be used as a warning device (Refer to the PDHengineer.com
Course C-3009 Roadway Rumble
Shoulder Strips Practices and Policies for more in-depth and interesting
information on their uses.)
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Ways
to improve a signal’s conspicuity - there are several ways!
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Minimum recommended sight distance per 85th percentile speed
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How
cameras can be used to reduce red-light running
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Most importantly, how the
public will benefit from safer intersections and roadways
Course
Click on the following attachment and review the
the informational report
“Making Intersections Safer: A toolbox of engineering countermeasures to reduce
red-light running” published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
prior to taking a quiz for credit.
Countermeasures to Reduce Red-Light Running (2.5 MB) - PDF version
Countermeasures
to Reduce Red-Light Running - html version
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To obtain PDH credits for this course, you will need to take a quiz for
credit. Click on the link below.
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