US DOTs introduce measures to stop wrong-way driving

[cpzilliacus]

ITS International: US DOTs introduce measures to stop wrong-way driving

Wrong-way driving (WWD) is a remarkably innocuous term for incidents that all too often cause some of the worst accidents that emergency services have to deal with. Several US states are now taking steps to minimise the problem, as Alan Dron finds out.

You're driving down a highway at night when you see approaching headlights. You initially assume they are merely those of an oncoming car on the opposite carriageway. It's only when they are within 200 yards or so that you realise that the other driver is in fact on the wrong side of the road and heading straight for you.

If your reactions are quick, you avoid a horrific collision. If not...

Incidents of wrong-way driving (WWD) are, mercifully, relatively rare. But the fact that they frequently happen on divided highways — be they motorways, freeways or autostrada — where closing speeds can easily be in the order of 140mph (225km/h) means that if an impact occurs, it is often fatal.

[GaryV]

Maybe they could just post messages on VMS, and then let the radio traffic reporters say over and over again that there's not a wrong-way driver.

(That's what happened in Detroit this morning.  I don't remember where - it wasn't where I was driving.)

[txstateends]

There have been several instances of wrong-way drivers on the Dallas North Tollway in recent years.  Most have been drunk.  Different things have been tried to avert this, including lowering do-not-enter signs and wrong-way signs on their posts (the theory being that an inebriated driver is looking downward more often than straight ahead (???)) as well as adding LED blinkers surrounding each sign for emphasis.  Even re-curbing at cross streets (like this: https://goo.gl/maps/Ads6P6Lehtw) where previously, the oncoming traffic from the off-ramp could turn left, with a straighter trajectory at first.  Now, to keep anyone coming from the left of the pic from turning onto that off-ramp, the curbed median was lengthened several feet toward the right of the pic.  This makes those turning left from the off-ramp turn a bit tighter, but gives less opportunity for those coming from the left on the cross-street to inadvertantly turn left there.  I've not heard about how much has changed (if at all) in wrong-way driving there since the sign and curb changes.

[UCFKnights]

There have been several instances of wrong-way drivers on the Dallas North Tollway in recent years.  Most have been drunk.  Different things have been tried to avert this, including lowering do-not-enter signs and wrong-way signs on their posts (the theory being that an inebriated driver is looking downward more often than straight ahead (???)) as well as adding LED blinkers surrounding each sign for emphasis.  Even re-curbing at cross streets (like this: https://goo.gl/maps/Ads6P6Lehtw) where previously, the oncoming traffic from the off-ramp could turn left, with a straighter trajectory at first.  Now, to keep anyone coming from the left of the pic from turning onto that off-ramp, the curbed median was lengthened several feet toward the right of the pic.  This makes those turning left from the off-ramp turn a bit tighter, but gives less opportunity for those coming from the left on the cross-street to inadvertantly turn left there.  I've not heard about how much has changed (if at all) in wrong-way driving there since the sign and curb changes.

Errm, according to street view, the no left turn sign has been facing the wrong way for at least 10 years, probably forever. There is no actual sign there that says no left turn. Infact, there was a "left turn only" sign indicating to turn onto the off ramp until 2012's street view, where it was changed to "one way"

[cpzilliacus]

Maybe they could just post messages on VMS, and then let the radio traffic reporters say over and over again that there's not a wrong-way driver.

(That's what happened in Detroit this morning.  I don't remember where - it wasn't where I was driving.)

Not everyone listens to traffic reports (though many drivers do), and not every area has DMS units that can be of use in such an emergency.

I have sometimes wondered if there should be "wrong way" detectors on exit ramps (the technology would seem reasonably easy to design).  I think this has been experimented with, but I am not aware of any large-scale deployment - with the detectors triggering alarms on the ramp as well as to the appropriate dispatch centers and traffic management centers.  The alarms have to be designed to get the attention of drunk/high/buzzed/impaired drivers.

[TEG24601]

I'm still convinced that the only way to truly solve this problem is tire shredding devices on ramps, which detect the wrong-way driver, and disable the vehicle before they can reach the main traffic lanes.

[roadfro]

Not everyone listens to traffic reports (though many drivers do), and not every area has DMS units that can be of use in such an emergency.

I have sometimes wondered if there should be "wrong way" detectors on exit ramps (the technology would seem reasonably easy to design).  I think this has been experimented with, but I am not aware of any large-scale deployment - with the detectors triggering alarms on the ramp as well as to the appropriate dispatch centers and traffic management centers.  The alarms have to be designed to get the attention of drunk/high/buzzed/impaired drivers.

The linked story in the OP mentions a system that Nevada DOT was installing in the Reno area.

That project is substantially complete, and was reported on by one of the local CBS affiliate a few weeks ago:
KTVN-TV2 - NDOT's New 'Wrong Way Driver System' Installed in North Valleys, 3/19/2018

Radar detection on the ramps, with lowered "WRONG WAY" signs supplemented by red RRFBs, and detection should alert NDOT & NHP. Unfortunately, there's not many VMS signs in that stretch to be able to provide advance warning to other motorists.

[jeffandnicole]

Incidents of wrong-way driving (WWD) are, mercifully, relatively rare. But the fact that they frequently happen on divided highways — be they motorways, freeways or autostrada — where closing speeds can easily be in the order of 140mph (225km/h) means that if an impact occurs, it is often fatal.

I'm not sure what to make of that first line above.  They're rare, but they frequently happen on divided highways, per the article.  I don't even agree with that: Actually, accidents that involve crossing the yellow line are fairly common; much more so than wrong-way drivers on divided highways.

[hbelkins]

There was a terrible wrong-way accident on the WV Turnpike a couple of weeks ago. A woman from my area of Kentucky was driving the wrong way and was involved in a fatal wreck. And then a fire truck that was responding to that wreck and it wrecked, killing three firefighters.

[cpzilliacus]

There was a terrible wrong-way accident on the WV Turnpike a couple of weeks ago. A woman from my area of Kentucky was driving the wrong way and was involved in a fatal wreck. And then a fire truck that was responding to that wreck and it wrecked, killing three firefighters.

An awful example of a what might be considered a secondary crash (since the crash involving the responding firefighters would not have happened  if the wrong-way crash had not happened).

[Brian556]

Want to solve this problem? Bring back prohibition

[SectorZ]

Want to solve this problem? Bring back prohibition

I hope you're being sarcastic.

[adventurernumber1]

Want to solve this problem? Bring back prohibition

While alcohol does cause problems if used in the wrong way (most notably in the case of drunk drivers), I don't think Prohibition is the answer. Prohibition turned out to be a massive failure in American history, and it was repealed for a reason. It just didn't work. The focus should be put on giving alcoholics the treatment and rehabilitation they need, and - as is the focus of this thread - putting in road-related measures to try to prevent these things from happening, and reduce the severity and impact of them. If Prohibiton was brought back, there would still be drunk drivers on the road and people consuming alcohol (it's just they would then be getting it illegally - but they would still get it), and there would become a huge bootlegging and crime problem "behind the scenes" in society. As was evident when Prohibition actually happened, things only seemed to get worse.

Want to solve this problem? Bring back prohibition

I hope you're being sarcastic.

If it was in fact sarcasm, then I am going to look like an idiot, and I am then reminded about how poorly I perform with social interaction (including detecting emotions and sarcasm sometimes), whether it be in person or online.     

[davewiecking]

I'm still convinced that the only way to truly solve this problem is tire shredding devices on ramps, which detect the wrong-way driver, and disable the vehicle before they can reach the main traffic lanes.

I've read any number of articles about drunk drivers being stopped after having been driving on 4 flat/shredded tires. My solution would be a large electromagnet that suspends the car a foot off the ground. Any higher and it would need to include a mechanism to keep doors from being opened.
[/sarc]

[roadman]

I'm still convinced that the only way to truly solve this problem is tire shredding devices on ramps, which detect the wrong-way driver, and disable the vehicle before they can reach the main traffic lanes.

I've read any number of articles about drunk drivers being stopped after having been driving on 4 flat/shredded tires. My solution would be a large electromagnet that suspends the car a foot off the ground. Any higher and it would need to include a mechanism to keep doors from being opened.
[/sarc]

It's the Top Gear Magnetron of Justice!    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyK131i7olg

[txstateends]

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Southlake-Police-See-Increase-in-Intoxicated-Wrong-Way-Drivers-479323563.html

A suburb in the Dallas-Fort Worth area reporting more wrong-way drivers who are (oh what a surprise) intoxicated.

[Dustin DeWinn]

Would rumble strips that only work in one direction be effective? I can think of use-cases at intersections where someone may get confused. This happened to me once at a major intersection at night that was poorly lit and 2 highways (one in each direction) caused me to almost turn onto the wrong way....rumble strips before turning there could have caught my attention but i dont know if the strips can work only in one direction?

[jeffandnicole]

Would rumble strips that only work in one direction be effective? I can think of use-cases at intersections where someone may get confused. This happened to me once at a major intersection at night that was poorly lit and 2 highways (one in each direction) caused me to almost turn onto the wrong way....rumble strips before turning there could have caught my attention but i dont know if the strips can work only in one direction?

Most rumble strips are a small groove in the pavement. They will work and sound the same in both directions.

[Dustin DeWinn]

Would rumble strips that only work in one direction be effective? I can think of use-cases at intersections where someone may get confused. This happened to me once at a major intersection at night that was poorly lit and 2 highways (one in each direction) caused me to almost turn onto the wrong way....rumble strips before turning there could have caught my attention but i dont know if the strips can work only in one direction?

Most rumble strips are a small groove in the pavement. They will work and sound the same in both directions.

Just found this

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S204604301630065X

[Bitmapped]

I've seen a lot of areas that have tried multiple sets or high/low Wrong Way signs. Out of curiosity, has any DOT tried installing Stop signs facing the wrong way traffic?

[RobbieL2415]

I've seen a lot of areas that have tried multiple sets or high/low Wrong Way signs. Out of curiosity, has any DOT tried installing Stop signs facing the wrong way traffic?

That might confuse the driver further.  "Stop" means stop and yield ROW to cross/oncoming traffic.  I bet some drivers would do that and just continue on.

[roadman]

I've seen a lot of areas that have tried multiple sets or high/low Wrong Way signs. Out of curiosity, has any DOT tried installing Stop signs facing the wrong way traffic?

As a kid in the 1960s, I remember seeing signs that read "WRONG WAY GO BACK." Never recall seeing any Stop signs though.

[cpzilliacus]

ABC11, Raleigh, N.C.: Triangle Freeway testing technology to prevent wrong-way crashes

[ErmineNotyours]

The on-ramps for the I-90 reversible lanes had steady red lights in addition to blankable red neon and flippable "do not enter" signs.

[Brandon]

The on-ramps for the I-90 reversible lanes had steady red lights in addition to blankable red neon and flippable "do not enter" signs.

The Kennedy Reversibles also have warnings, but that doesn't stop some:
https://goo.gl/maps/8JZiq6HQzet
https://goo.gl/maps/97vqPLLJtZT2