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Effectiveness of pilot car operations in reducing speeds in a long-term rural highway work zone
conference contribution
posted on 2014-01-01, 00:00 authored by Ashim DebnathAshim Debnath, R A Blackman, N HaworthPilot cars are used in one-lane two-way work zones to guide traffic and keep their speeds within posted limits. While many studies have examined the effectiveness of measures to reduce vehicle speeds in work zones, little is known about the reductions achievable through the use of pilot cars. This paper examines the effectiveness of a pilot car in reducing travel speeds in a rural highway work zone in Queensland, Australia. Analysis of speed data covering a period of five days showed that a pilot car reduced average speeds at the treatment location, but not downstream. The proportion of vehicles speeding through the activity area was also reduced, particularly those traveling at 10 km/h or more above the posted limit. Motorists were more likely to speed during the day, under a 40 kh/h limit, when traffic volumes were higher and when there were fewer vehicles in the traffic stream. Medium vehicles were less likely to speed in the presence of a pilot car than light vehicles. To maximize these benefits, it is necessary to ensure that the pilot car itself is not speeding.
History
Event
Transportation Research Board. Annual Meeting (93rd : 2014 : Washington, D.C.)Volume
93Series
TRB annual meetingPagination
1 - 17Publisher
Transportation Research BoardLocation
Washington, D.C.Place of publication
[Washington, D.C.]Start date
2014-01-12End date
2014-01-16Language
engPublication classification
E1.1 Full written paper - refereedCopyright notice
2014, TRBTitle of proceedings
Transportation Research Board annual meeting : 93rd : 2014 : Washington, DC : compendium of papersUsage metrics
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