WTI

Narrows Oversize Vehicle Identification System (Showcase Evaluation #13)

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

1. Tech Memo 2: Test-bed Evaluation of Width Detectors
   1. Trevor Iman and Pat McGowen
   2. 4264542_Phase2_final.pdf
2. Tech Memo 1: Motorist Survey and CMS Evaluation
   1. Charles Erickson, Jaime Eidswick, Pat McGowen
   2. 4264542_CMS_final.pdf

Project Objective

This evaluation will compare oversize vehicle detection systems, assess their effectiveness, and provide recommendations for an integrated detection and traveler information system to improve safety in the Narrows Corridor of northern California.

Project Abstract

One challenge with rural travel is natural features that impose constraints for highway design. This results in roadways that are built with less geometric tolerance than roads constructed in flat areas and therefore smaller lane widths, minimal or no shoulders, and tight radius curves. These constraints increase the possibility of sideswipe accidents and oversize vehicles becoming physically stuck in these areas. Due to the cost of traditional solutions like reconstruction, intelligent transportation systems (ITS) may be an attractive and cost-effective method of improving safety at these locations. US Route 199 in Del Norte County, California has a high rate of oversize vehicles that continue through the Narrows Corridor, violating their permit. This results in a high rate of sideswipe accidents and the occasional truck being stuck in this area. To improve the safety in this area, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and WTI are working together to implement an integrated system that includes oversize vehicle detection, traveler information, and enforcement. The system is being developed using a multi-phase approach. Phase 1 included the installation of Changeable Message Signs (CMS) with static messages in the Narrows Corridor to enhance driver awareness of the potential for vehicle conflicts. Phase 2 of this project is to evaluate different detection technologies to determine their effectiveness in detecting overlength and width vehicles. After a detection technology has been selected, Phase 3 will begin. Phase 3 involves the design of a system for the Narrows Corridor called the Narrows Oversize Vehicle Identification System (NOVIS) that includes detection, traveler information and enforcement. Phase 4 would be an extension to a regional system along U.S. 199 from Grants Pass to Crescent City.This project will assist Caltrans in deploying and evaluating Phases 1 through 3, and will provide recommendations for a potential Phase 4 (not funded through this project). Data that will be used to support conclusions include accident data, speed data, motorist surveys, and a technology assessment.

Task Descriptions

1. Review Technology Alternatives (Phase 2)
   1. The purpose of this task is to determine technology options for measuring vehicle length and width. This review will be based primarily on information received from potential vendors about cost and system adaptability.
2. Opposing Traffic Information (Phase 3)
   1. Another element of the full-scale implementation of the NOVIS project is a system that alerts opposing traffic that an oversized vehicle has entered the Narrows Corridor. This system could then advise drivers to exercise caution or pull to the side of the road. This task will develop the requirements and identify the best technological system for providing this information.
3. Project Management
   1. Critical to the success of this and any project is the development of an appropriate project scope to provide initial direction and ongoing guidance for research staff. This task covers overall project management activities that may assist in promoting communication between project sponsors and the research team.
4. Year 1 Evaluation (Phase 3)
   1. The purpose of the first year evaluation is to identify the effectiveness of the system to this point. The successes and failures of the system will be identified and modifications to the system will be recommended. Final recommendations for the NOVIS system will also be identified. These recommendations may include leaving the system as it is, revising the system, applications for the system elsewhere, and recommendations for implementation of a regional system (Task 16). Lastly this technical memorandum will also include a cost/benefit analysis for the NOVIS system in the Narrows Corridor.
5. Evaluate Static Signs (Phase 1)
   1. The purpose of this task is to assess the effectiveness of the CMS on traveler safety. The primary method of evaluation will be a motorist survey, which will gauge motorists’ perception of the signs and their effect on improving traveler information on the potential for vehicle conflicts and therefore their effect on motorist safety.
6. Testbed Identification (Phase 2)
   1. This task consists of identifying a testbed site for installing several different types of detection equipment (chosen in Task 6). The site for the testbed should be similar to the Narrows site, yet allow the equipment to be tested and the “bugs” to be worked out before it is introduced to the public. The testbed will be chosen so the length and width of the trucks is known. This will help to accurately test equipment and will make it possible to activate the most accurate and efficient design in the Narrows Corridor.
7. Enforcement System (Phase 3)
   1. The purpose for enforcement in the NOVIS project will be to pursue and apprehend any oversized vehicles that ignore the driver information alert and continue through the Narrows Corridor. The enforcement of this corridor could be accomplished by using either a law enforcement officer or technological systems. This task will identify the best system for this area by working with local stakeholders, specifically law enforcement agencies.
8. Road Closure System (Phase 3)
   1. While the opposing traffic information (Task 13) can help to reduce the risk of accidents, a better solution in some cases may be to preemptively close the road, in order to head off potential conflicts. A road closure system, therefore, may be a key component of this project. Options for a road closure system would include an automated road closure system, permitted flagging, or stopping the opposite traffic flow in the event that an oversized vehicle proceeds into the Narrows. This may improve safety and decrease delay time by reducing the number of vehicles trying to pass by the oversize vehicle and therefore reducing the risk for collisions. This task will identify the best system for this area.
9. Identify Alternatives
   1. The purpose of this task is to identify possible solutions to the safety problems in the Narrows Corridor to ensure that traditional methods as well as the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) were considered by Caltrans. These alternatives were identified and considered by Caltrans and in March 2001, they decided to try ITS.
10. Evaluation Detection Equipment (Phase 2)
    1. The purpose of this task is to assess the reliability and accuracy of detection technologies used in this testbed. System reliability – the percentage of time the system measures vehicle lengths and widths – will be established through PC error records. System accuracy – the extent to which the measured width and length matched actual vehicle measurements – will be established by measuring fleet vehicles bfore the testbed evaluation begins and by video taping the vehicle movement to match measurements.
11. Driver Information Alternatives (Phase 3)
    1. The purpose of this task is to identify alternatives for alerting operators of overwide or overlong vehicles not to proceed into the Narrows Corridor. A number of technologies will be identified and the best alternative for the Narrows Corridor will be chosen.
12. Implementation (Phase 3)
    1. The purpose of this task is to deploy and integrate the alternatives chosen for each of the NOVIS system’s five elements in the Narrows Corridor – vehicle length and width detection system, driver information, enforcement, opposing traffic information, and the road closure system.
13. Deploy Static Signs (Phase 1)
    1. The purpose of this task is to deploy changeable message signs (CMS) that display a static message to enhance motorist awareness of narrow lanes in the area.
14. Develop Regional System Concept (Phase 4)
    1. The purpose of this task is to develop the concept for a regional (US Route 199 from Grants Pass to Crescent City) integrated detection and warning system related to oversize vehicles. This task will follow the completion of the installation of the local integrated detection system in the Narrows Corridor (Task 15). While funding does not exist for detailed design, implementation and evaluation of a Phase 4 system, future integration into such a system should be considered as the research team is analyzing alternatives for Phase 3
15. Install Detection Equipment (Phase 2)
    1. This task consists of collocating the three detection technologies (mentioned in Task 6) in a testbed. The testbed will be located at a maintenance yard in California District 1 to more closely simulate the weather and power conditions in the Narrows Corridor. The equipment will be continuously monitored for modifications once the installation is complete and calibrations and modifications will be made as needed.
16. Procure Detection Equipment (Phase 2)
    1. This task will procure the equipment as recommended from Task 5.
17. Develop Local System Concept (Phase 3)
    1. The purpose of this task is to develop the concept for an integrated detection and warning system related to oversize vehicles in the Narrows Corridor. This system may include detection, driver information, enforcement, opposing traffic information, and potentially a road closure system. Requirements for each of these subsystems will be created (Tasks 11-14) and then an integrated system will be developed.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

True

Relationship to Other Research Projects

True

Technology Transfer Activities

False

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Traffic Surveillance, Automatic Vehicle Identification, Motor Vehicle Identification

Partners

California Department of Transportation