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Description:
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The problem of dilemma zone protection and red -light -running is especially important in certain rural intersections due to the higher speeds at these intersections and their isolated nature . In addition , the presence of a larger percentage of trucks mean that adequate warning and help need to be given to these truck drivers in order to enable them to stop safely , or proceed through the intersection before the onset of red .
To curb any potential danger at such intersections , a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT ) research project on Advanced Warning for End of Green Phase (AWEGS ) at high speed intersections deployed AWEGS at two rural intersection sites ? ? Tx 6 @ FM 185 near Waco and US 290 @ FM 577 in Brenham . The deployment of AWEGS involved a Level 1 and a later upgrade to a more efficient Level 2 in Waco . Initial results on red -light -running , even though promising , were expressed as observed red -light -running events per day . These resulting rates did not reflect exposure , and the results also raised some concerns with regards to some increase in red -light -running from Level 1 to Level 2 .
A more detailed analysis of the red -light -running issue at these two sites is provided in this thesis . The main areas of red -light -running analyses presented here are with respect to the reductions in red -light -running rates for the exposure factors of number of cycles and vehicular volumes , the comparison of day and night RLR rates and the nature of speeds of vehicles running the red light at the intersection in Waco .
AWEGS was found to reduce the total red -light -running per exposure factor after its deployment . Both Level 1 and Level 2 AWEGS operations were found to reduce red -light -running by up to 60 % . Generally , total red -light -running per exposure factor between Level 1 and Level 2 was found to be about the same . Level 2 had lower daytime red -light -running rates and higher nighttime rates than Level 1 . Generally , day rates were found to be higher than night rates for all levels of AWEGS deployment .
It is recommended that , to better understand the operational aspects of AWEGS and to improve its operations , more implementation of AWEGS and further tests be done . An automated method to collect and analyze data needs to be developed as well as a means of automatically recording video data for calibration and verification It is also recommended that Level 1 technology be implemented in areas where the Level 2 technology may be either too complex or too expensive . |