USAA, TTI Begin Extensive Distracted Driving Study - CRASH Program's Popularity Grows New Study Shines Light on Pavement Markings and Safety TDS ...
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SPRING 2013
USAA, TTI
Begin Extensive
Distracted Driving Study
CRASH Program’s Popularity Grows
New Study Shines Light on Pavement Markings and Safety
TDS Named Best Practice in Highway Safety Report
Safety Research and Outreach
Center for Transportation Safety
Spring 2013
USAA, TTI
In this issue
Begin Extensive
3
USAA, TTI Begin
Extensive Distracted
Driving Study 11
U.S. Rep Recognizes
TDS Leaders Distracted Driving Study
The United Services Automobile underlying texting, cell phone use, people to personally change their driving
Association (USAA) has contracted with and other distractions while driving,” behaviors; you can watch highlights on
the Texas A&M Transportation Institute Womack says. “The two approaches YouTube (keywords: Florida Distracted
(TTI) to conduct an extensive study on the combined will lead to recommenda- Driving Summit, presented by USAA).
use of cell phones by Texas drivers, and tions for consideration of the most ap-
4 New Study
Shines Light
on Pavement
Markings and
12 Voice-to-Text Apps
Offer No Driving
Safety Benefit;
distracted driving in general. The effort
is the first involving TTI and USAA, one
of the nation’s most respected insurance
propriate intervention and/or education
strategies.”
“USAA is clearly focused on some of the
most pressing roadway safety problems
that our society now faces, and TTI is
As With Manual companies offering insurance protection focused on pursuing solutions to those
Safety Texting, Reaction TTI is responsible for one of the problems,” says TTI Director Dennis
and financial services to the U.S. military
Times Double and their families for more than 90 years.
nation’s most extensive texting- Christiansen. “We’re confident that to-
while-driving studies — one gether we’re going to make a very strong
A survey of roughly 3,000 people will be and effective team.”
that demonstrated how texting
conducted in driver’s license stations op-
6
CRASH Program’s
14
Taking Research
Further with the Popularity Grows erated by the Texas Department of Public behind the wheel doubles a “We are committed to promoting vehi-
Safety in several regions around the state. driver’s reaction time. cle and driver safety for the protection
Driving Simulator
The sample size will allow researchers to of our military members and their fami-
examine which demographic groups are lies,” says USAA Executive Director Joel
most affected by the distracted driving USAA visited TTI in 2012 for a discus- Camarano. “USAA is excited to form this
issue and what their attitudes and self- sion that focused on USAA’s interests in relationship with TTI, a leader in road-
reported behaviors are, according to TTI current and emerging roadway safety way safety research for over 60 years.”
Remotely Senior Research Scientist Katie Womack, issues, along with a review of TTI’s ca-
8 16
Computer
Controlling Simulations who will lead the study. pabilities and current research activities.
“USAA is clearly focused on
Work Zone Explore “What TTI is responsible for one of the nation’s
Traffic most extensive texting-while-driving stud- some of the most pressing
If” Disaster “We are committed to
Scenarios ies — one that demonstrated how texting roadway safety problems that
promoting vehicle and driver behind the wheel doubles a driver’s reac- our society now faces, and
safety for the protection of our tion time.
TTI is focused on pursuing
military members and their USAA, a longtime advocate for safe driv- solutions to those problems.”
TDS Named
10 18
DDACTS Becoming the families.” — Joel Camarano, USAA ing, hosted Distracted Driving Summits
— Dennis Christiansen, TTI Director
New Crime and Crash- Best Practice in Executive Director last year in Texas and Florida, in con-
Fighting Tool for Law Highway Safety junction with each state’s Department of
Enforcement Report Transportation, Shriners Hospitals and
“Focus groups will also be conducted the Distraction Advocate Network. The For more information, contact Katie
to explain in greater detail the thought objective was to raise awareness of the Womack at kwomack@tamu.edu.
processes and behavior motivations dangers of distracted driving and compel
SPRING 2013 | Safety net | 3
Center for Transportation Safety Center for Transportation Safety
“The evidence is pretty compelling.
It demonstrates that maintenance of
pavement markings retroreflectivity can
have a positive effect on safety. I’m confident
New Study of the results — brighter pavement
Shines Light
markings mean safer roadways.”
&
— Paul Carlson, TTI Research Engineer
on Pavement Markings Called retroreflectivity, spe- replaced. Comparing both dull and bright pave-
Safety
cial materials in edge lines ment markings with crash information, we were in
and lane lines create the a good position to determine if those retroreflectivity
brightness. With age and characteristics played a role in safety.”
wear that brightness deterio-
rates. Although some assume So, Carlson’s study, An Investigation of Longitudinal
there’s a correlation between Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity and Safety, got
pavement marking retrore- underway. Sponsored by the Federal Highway
flectivity and safety, up until Administration (FHWA), he gathered crash data and
now researchers have not retroreflectivity measurements from 2002 through
When you drive at night and your been able to prove it. 2008. He compared the measurements with certain
types of crashes: single vehicle, nighttime crashes
“It’s a hard thing to measure,” says Paul Carlson, that occurred during dry conditions and non-snow
headlights illuminate a lane marking, it Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) Research time months.
makes you feel safer, right? After all, bright Engineer, who is also the head of the Institute’s
Operations and Design Division. Carlson is known After a lengthy and laborious process, Carlson com-
for his pavement marking research and leads TTI’s pleted the research in July 2012. He determined that
pavement markings are designed to help fewer crashes occurred when pavement markers
unique Visibility Research Laboratory. “For one
you stay in your lane and prevent you from thing, in order to gather good information about were brighter and newer.
safety you would have to know the level of bright-
“The evidence is pretty compelling,” Carlson says of
running off the roadway. ness, or retroreflectivity, a pavement marking had at
the research. “It demonstrates that maintenance of
the time someone ran off the roadway.”
pavement markings retroreflectivity can have a posi-
As it turns out, Carlson had a near perfect oppor- tive effect on safety. I’m confident of the results —
tunity to conduct a study, thanks to the Michigan brighter pavement markings mean safer roadways.”
Department of Transportation (MDOT).
In the meantime, Carlson has been working with
For years, MDOT has measured the brightness of FHWA as it comes up with a retroreflectivity stan-
its pavement markings on individual roadways. dard, which would help DOTs across the country
Carlson realized that he could compare those know when pavement markings should be replaced.
brightness levels with the crashes occurring on those
roadways.
“Michigan DOT is very serious about keeping its For more information contact Paul Carlson
pavement markings maintained. If measurements at paul-carlson@tamu.edu
show pavement markings were dull, they would be
4 | Safety net | SPRING 2013 SPRING 2013 | Safety net | 5
Center for Transportation Safety Center for Transportation Safety
Taking Research Further with the
Driving Simulator
At the Texas A&M Transportation Why Use a Simulator?
Institute (TTI), researchers have the ability to Driving simulators provide a safe and controlled
take transportation studies even further using the environment to explore how and why people re-
Institute’s driving simulator. act in certain driving situations. In the simulated
environment it is possible to inexpensively test
TTI’s portable desktop driv- multiple variations of a specific scenario.
ing simulator is housed in
“One cool thing about this the Center for Transportation A wider variety of roadway design and traffic
software is that the company Safety (CTS). The Realtime conditions can be tested than are typically avail-
has given us the capability to Technologies, Inc. system able in a test-track study or fiscally-practical in a Assistant Research Engineer Jeff detection within a visual complex en-
uses SimCreator, software field study. The simulator also allows researchers Miles said, “The integration of the vironment, prior to field deployment.
create our own roadways.” to run subjects in a controlled, and safe, environ- Seeing Machines eye-tracker with the He says this will allow for an increase
that allows researchers to The driving simulator has been used
— Alicia Nelson, TTI Associate ment before taking them out to a test track. Realtime driving simulator will enable in what can be tested while keeping
test real-world roadway sce- in support of these efforts:
Research Specialist narios. Most simulators (in- researchers to investigate where driv- costs down.
“One cool thing about this software is that the ers are looking within different driv-
cluding TTI’s previous model) • Studies to Determine the Effectiveness
company has given us the capability to create ing environments. This can be critical “Now, going back to the integration
are in a fixed location so re- of Longitudinal Channelizing Devices
our own roadways,” Nelson said. “For example, to reaction and time, especially in of the eye-tracker with the driving
search participants can only be attracted from in Work Zones
we could mockup Riverside if we wanted. The visual complex driving environments, simulator, we are already collecting
the city where the simulator resides. Because
base system that we have is also adaptable, al- such as urban freeway segments, ur- eye-tracker data at our closed-course • Driver Workload and Visual Studies
TTI’s simulator takes up less space, and is eas-
lowing us to diversify our research capabilities ban arterials, and residential streets.” facilities and on the open road. So, • Studies to Improve Temporary
ily transported, researchers can use it to gather
in the future.” gathering eye-tracking data both in Traffic Control at Urban Freeway
data from geographically and demographically
Miles explains that depending on the the driving simulator and the real Interchanges and Pavement Marking
diverse locations. These possibilities include being able to model a setup of the study, researchers could world will enable researchers to also Material Selection in Work Zones
particular type of vehicle, such as an 18-wheel- evaluate potential new traffic con- link any changes in eye-tracking be-
Associate Research Specialist Alicia Nelson,
er or bicycle, or projecting full-size images on trol devices or roadway geometry havior between the simulator and the • Guidelines for the use of Pavement
programmer of the simulator for the past 10
large screens, instead of using computer moni- treatments against existing devices real world to further support the re- Marking Symbols at Freeway
years, said, “We picked this system because we
tors. In order to take advantage of these capa- and geometry to estimate how effec- search findings and to improve future Interchanges
can use it to recreate many different scenarios,
bilities, three TTI researchers have been trained tive those potential treatments might simulator studies.” • Test Procedures for Evaluating
and its portability means it can be used in any
as simulator programers - Myung Ko, Jeff Miles be in the real world with respect to Distraction Potential in Connected
city.”
and Marcie Perez. Another new feature to the Vehicle Systems
simulator is the ability to use the faceLAB eye
tracking system from Seeing Machines in con- For more information about the driving simulator, contact
junction with the simulator. Alicia Nelson at a-nelson@tamu.edu.
6 | Safety net | SPRING 2013 SPRING 2013 | Safety net | 7
Center for Transportation Safety Center for Transportation Safety
Remotely Controlling
Work Zone Traffic
Safety measures have been implemented to protect flag-
Researchers at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) recent-
ly evaluated motorists’ understanding of automated flagger assis-
tance devices (AFADs) in work zones and found that while AFADs
may increase the safety of flaggers, motorists may misunderstand
AFADs; thus, increasing the potential for motorists to enter the lane
gers in work zones, but crashes involving flaggers still closure when they should remain stopped.
occur and often result in serious injury to the flagger. In this study, two types of AFADs were evaluated — one type uses
The purpose of an automated flagger assistance device a remote controlled stop/slow sign to alternate the right-of-way;
the other uses remote controlled red and yellow lenses to alternate
(AFAD) is to remotely control traffic in work zones, the right-of-way. A gate arm is only required with the latter.
while removing the flagger from harm’s way.
The study consisted of multiple surveys Through the field studies researchers
and field studies. During the survey por- evaluated the two different types of
tion of the study, researchers investigated
the motorist understanding of both types
AFADs along with a flagger with a stop/
slow paddle at both ends of the lane clo-
2 types tested
of AFADs. The surveys found: sure. The field studies found:
pictured above
• For the stop/slow AFAD, a newly • The violation rate for the stop/slow
designed WAIT ON STOP/GO ON AFAD without a gate arm was the remote controlled stop/
SLOW symbol sign resulted in the highest and was significantly higher slow sign to alternate the
highest percentage of participants than the violation rate for the red/ right-of-way
who understood to stop and remain yellow lens AFAD (which requires a
stopped until the AFAD indicated that it gate arm). The addition of a gate arm pictured on left
was safe to proceed. to the stop/slow AFAD decreased
the violation rate such that it was
remote controlled red and
• For all of the stop/slow AFAD yellow lenses to alternate
treatments, a portion of the participants not significantly different from the
red/yellow lens AFAD. In addition, the right-of-way
indicated they would have stopped
and then proceeded instead of waiting supplemental signs increased motorist
until the AFAD displayed the slow sign. understanding that the stop sign would
Thus, researchers recommended that a change to a slow sign when motorists Researchers believe that both types of
gate arm be required with stop/slow were allowed to proceed. AFADs (stop/slow and red/yellow lens)
AFADs. • Some motorists did enter the lane may be used to control traffic at lane clo-
closure under the stop condition for sures on two-lane, two-way roadways.
• For the red/yellow lens AFAD, However, they recommend that agencies
participants understood the stop both types of AFADs. However, the
majority of these violations occurred implementing AFADs make area drivers
and proceed phase. However, most aware of the use of the new devices to
participants did not understand the at the end of the proceed condition
when the AFAD began to change to reduce potential confusion.
difference between the flashing and
steady yellow arrows (i.e., proceed the stop condition. In all cases, the
motorist caught up to the end of the For more information contact
and transition phases, respectively).
queue or the flagger was able to stop Melisa Finley at
Even so, the use of the gate arm
these motorists before they encountered m-finley@tamu.edu or
appeared to inform motorists about
oncoming traffic. Nada Trout at n-trout@tamu.edu
when to proceed and when to stop.
8 | Safety net | SPRING 2013 SPRING 2013 | Safety net | 9
Center for Transportation Safety Center for Transportation Safety
DDACTS U.S. Rep
Becoming the New Crime
and Crash-Fighting Tool for Recognizes
Law Enforcement
TDS
leaders
Are traffic crashes and crime related? Well, it Leaders of a growing statewide
turns out they often are. Find an area of town that has an teen driving safety program who met
with U.S. Representative Pete Gallego on
abundance of crashes and traffic violations and chances May 20 announced their goal of reduc-
“Too many senseless deaths occur due to distracted driving.
are pretty good that the crime rate is high there too. ing by half the number of young drivers No one understands young people better than young people
using cell phones. themselves. I’m glad that this group is being proactive and
“A recent study by the Texas A&M looking for creative ways to curb a bad and dangerous habit.”
Transportation Institute found that 10 per- — Representative Pete Gallego
Law enforcement agencies have found police presence that is supported through process,” Walden explains. “That’s a cent of drivers in Texas are using their
that providing a high police presence in high visibility traffic enforcement efforts.” 30 to 40 percent reduction across the cell phone at any point in time — that is being proactive and looking for creative and sponsors for their efforts. A total of
areas with both problems often lowers board, with some communities experi- means 10 percent of drivers are talking ways to curb a bad and dangerous habit. 17 schools received awards — including
both crash and crime rates, sometimes encing a 70 percent reduction.” on the phone or texting right now,” said I commend the Texas A&M Transportation cash prizes of up to $1,000 — for their
DDACTS is a radically different
dramatically. Sydney Alvarado, a member of the Teens Institute for heading up this program that creativity and effectiveness in program-
approach to crime fighting, where Walden says that cities often experience
in the Driver Seat (TDS) Teen Advisory could make our roads safer.” ming; 46 incoming and outgoing adviso-
This philosophy of fighting those problem traffic law enforcement is emphasized reductions in violent crimes, including
Board. “But we can do better than that; ry board members were recognized; and
areas is called Data-Driven Approaches to address the hot spot locations. homicide, aggravated assault, burglary The annual meeting of the TDS Teen
with the right kind of positive peer pres- 13 faculty/staff members at the schools
to Crime and Traffic Safety, or DDACTS and auto theft. At the same time, there Advisory Board brings the group to the
sure, we believe we can cut that number were honored as “SponStars.”
as it’s known among law enforcement are often fewer traffic fatalities and in- city where the nationally-recognized
in half among young drivers.”
agencies. In the latest class, six south Texas po- jury crashes, while the number of arrests program first began in 2002. It was dur- “The young leaders we recognize today
lice agencies attended the DDACTS increases. Rep. Gallego met with Advisory Board ing that year that the crash deaths of 10 are demonstrating that peer influence
“This philosophy of policing is re- workshop in February — Brownsville, members at Texas A&M University- teens over a six-week period prompted can prevent crashes and save lives,” said
ally catching on with excellent results,” Edinburg, Laredo, Mission, Harlingen “This is not ‘the flavor of the month’ kind
San Antonio (TAMU-SA) as part of the the Texas Department of Transportation Russell Henk, who created and directs
says Associate Research Scientist Troy and Pharr Police Departments. of approach,” he says. “This is a long-
group’s annual meeting and awards pre- to pursue more effective ways to keep the TDS program at TTI. “Through their
Walden. He is overseeing a three-year term, data-driven policing philosophy
sentation. TAMU-SA President Dr. Maria young drivers and passengers safe, lead- leadership and creative thinking, they’re
Center for Transportation Safety (CTS) For most agencies, DDACTS is a radi- that departments continue to work on.
Hernandez Ferrier also participated in ing to the launch of TDS, created by the serving as fine examples not only to each
traffic safety grant awarded by TxDOT cally different approach to crime fighting. Sometimes your high crime and crash ar-
the annual recognition. Texas A&M Transportation Institute. The other, but to the rest of us on the road as
with funds from the National Highway Criminal activity is usually the focus of most eas will be migratory, so it’s important to
program is now active in more than 500 well.”
Traffic Safety Administration. “We’ve law enforcement agencies, however with reassess and evaluate crime and crash “Too many senseless deaths occur due to Texas high schools and middle schools.
been conducting workshops for law en- DDACTS, traffic law enforcement is em- data to pinpoint those areas.” distracted driving,” said Representative
forcement agencies — teaching them phasized to address the hot spot locations. Pete Gallego (TX-23). “No one under- In addition to hosting the advisory group
how to find ‘hot spots,’ which are areas For more information contact
stands young people better than young meeting, Dr. Ferrier helped recognize
where crime and crashes are highest. “It’s not unusual for agencies to see a 30 For more information contact Troy Russell Henk at r-henk@tamu.edu
people themselves. I’m glad that this group TDS program schools, student leaders
The technique provides a high-profile to 40 percent drop in crime and crashes Walden at t-walden@ttimail.tamu.edu
in any given community that utilizes this
10 | Safety net | SPRING 2013 SPRING 2013 | Safety net | 11
Center for Transportation Safety Center for Transportation Safety
Texans behind the wheel:
Christine Yager, a TTI Associate
Transportation Researcher who man-
Driving distracted
Voice-to-Text Apps
aged the study, says the findings of-
fer new insight, but only a part of the
10
knowledge that’s needed to improve
Offer No Driving Safety Benefit;
%
roadway safety. “Understanding the
distracted driving issue is an evolv-
of all drivers are
As With Manual Texting, Reaction Times Double ing process, and this study is but one
step in that process,” she says. “We
using their cell
believe it’s a useful step, and we’re
eager to see what other studies may phone right now
90,378
Texting drivers may find.”
believe they’re being more Major findings from the study
careful when they use the included: “Understanding the distracted
driving issue is an evolving
voice-to-text method, but • Driver response times were process, and this study is but
new research findings sug- significantly delayed no matter one step in that process.”
gest that those applications which texting method was used.
In each case, drivers took about — Christine Yager, TTI Associate
offer no real safety advan- Transportation Researcher
twice as long to react as they did
tage over manual texting if when they weren’t texting. With
drivers choose to visually slower reaction times, drivers are
less able to take action in response
The study’s results were published crashes in 2012 involved driver
distraction
confirm the spoken texts. during National Distracted Driving
to sudden roadway hazards, Awareness Month. Numerous agen- (including cell phone use)
The study was sponsored by the such as a swerving vehicle or a cies, including the Texas Department
14
Southwest Region University Transportation Center and conducted pedestrian in the street. of Transportation (TxDOT) are spon-
by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. SWUTC is a part of the soring public awareness campaigns
• The amount of time that drivers
University Transportation Centers Program, which is a federally-fund- to highlight the dangers of driving
in
NEARLY
spent looking at the roadway ahead
ed program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
Research and Innovative Technology Administration. was significantly less when they
distractions, particularly those asso-
ciated with cell phone use.
crashes involves
driver distraction
were texting, no matter which
The study is the first of its kind, as it is based on the performance texting method was used. Another TTI study now underway
of 43 research participants driving an actual vehicle on a closed is examining the motivations and
• For most tasks, manual texting
course. Other research efforts have evaluated manual versus voice- attitudes of distracted drivers.
required slightly less time than the
activated tasks using devices installed in a vehicle, but the TTI anal- Results from the focus groups and
ysis is the first to compare voice-to-text and manual texting on a voice-to-text method, but driver
a 3,000-driver survey are expected
handheld device in an actual driving environment. performance was roughly the same
in late summer, and will include a Texting takes a driver’s eyes
4.6 seconds
with both.
look at which demographic groups
Drivers first navigated the course without any use of cell phones.
• Drivers felt less safe when they are most affected by the distracted off the road for
Each driver then traveled the course three more times performing a
were texting, but felt safer when driving issue.
series of texting exercises — once using each of two voice-to-text
using a voice-to-text application
applications (Siri® for the iPhone and Vlingo® for Android), and
than when texting manually,
once texting manually. Researchers then measured the time it took
even though driving performance For more information contact
each driver to complete the tasks, and also noted how long it took
for the drivers to respond to a light which came on at random inter-
suffered equally with both Christine Yager at like driving a football field with eyes closed
methods. c-yager@ttimail.tamu.edu
vals during the exercises.
12 | Safety net | SPRING 2013 SPRING 2013 | Safety net | 13
Center for Transportation Safety Center for Transportation Safety
Before CRASH, all vehicle crash reports
had to be filled out longhand, which
after undergoing numerous mailing ex-
changes from officer to supervisor and
back, can cost between $4 and $11 per
report. CRASH provides a faster way to
fill out these reports, and on average,
cuts the cost to 96 cents, revisions includ-
ed. As agencies continue to implement
the CRASH system, more state revenue
will be saved.
“Over the holidays alone, 19 new agen-
cies contacted TxDOT to either inquire
about CRASH or start the process to
obtain CRASH,” said Jon Graber, an
Associate Transportation Researcher at
the Texas A&M Transportation Institute
(TTI).
Along with reduced costs, CRASH pro-
vides many other benefits to help reduce
time hassle for police officers, including:
CRASH
• Auto-fill for selected fields on police
reports;
• Touch screen access;
CRASH went live in October 2011. The
• Paperless system; first four police agencies to implement
CRASH were Travis County Sheriff’s
As of January
• A template for simplified crash
illustrations; and Department and police departments 2013, about
in Fairview, Cedar Park and La Vernia.
Program’s Popularity Grows
50 %
• 10–15 minutes per report, instead of The program has been well received by
30–45 minutes with paper. larger police agencies, and TxDOT has
There are no major drawbacks to the now begun implementing the program
CRASH system, but there may be a slow- into smaller towns.
er learning curve for officers who did of all crash
not grow up using computer technology. “The top 120 agencies in Texas account
Barely a year since its introduction, the Crash Reporting and Analysis
However, Graber does say that these for 89 percent of all crash reports,” reports are
for Safer Highways (CRASH) program’s popularity has boomed, encouraging Graber said. “There are about 1800
officers are still able to use the CRASH
the development of new, online training technology, which is currently being cre-
system after a little practice. agencies statewide. Online training will being submitted
ated. By using convenient online training programs instead of in-person training allow those smaller agencies to train
sessions, more law enforcement agencies throughout Texas will be able to use CRASH will help further researchers’ un- and use CRASH.”
to the state via
the CRASH program. derstanding of vehicle crash statistics, es-
As of January 2013, about 50 percent
CR ASH
pecially at intersections. This is important
CRASH is a free, secure Internet application for law enforcement agencies to of all crash reports are being submitted
because having a better understanding
process Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Reports (CR-3) electronically. It is a compo- to the state via CRASH, and the state is
of car crashes can lead to improved pre-
nent of the Crash Records Information System (CRIS). Together, CRIS and CRASH expected to reach 89 percent electronic
vention measures. Some of these mea-
allow for the analysis of all crashes in the state. This distinguishes the system from submission by the end of the year.
sures may include targeted enforcement
others because there is currently no federal database for all crash records.
and traffic lights. With CRASH, police For more information contact
TxDOT is already making plans to fur-
The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), for example, only records data on agencies will have easy access to infor- Troy Walden at
ther enhance the online system, finding
vehicular crashes that involve fatalities. FARS is updated once a year, but when mation and statistics about a variety of t-walden@ttimail.tamu.edu
more ways to make filling out crash re-
police agencies use the CRASH system, CRIS is able to update in real time, al- car crash situations. or Jon Graber at
ports even simpler for police officers.
lowing for more meaningful data for safety researchers. j-graber@ttimail.tamu.edu
14 | Safety net | SPRING 2013 SPRING 2013 | Safety net | 15
Center for Transportation Safety Center for Transportation Safety
Until now, the best any city or agency could do would extreme events. Extensive traffic delays and lost produc-
be to assess the results of such an event and then act, tivity can cripple the supply chains that feed products
using a responsive approach. Advances in computer to a vast network of manufacturers on both sides of the
modeling, however, now make a proactive plan more border, and the associated expenses add up quickly.
possible, potentially giving the planners the head start In addition, several states and federal policy questions
Computer Simulations Explore they need to minimize the public safety and economic arise from such an event.
“What If”
consequences of a disaster.
− Would toll rates at other ports-of-entry be relaxed
during reconstruction?
“We now have the ability to anticipate the
− Would Customs and Border Protection (CBP) increase
impact of both the immediate and longer- agents at other bridges to alleviate additional strain of
term effects on both sides of the border, and vehicles shifting to other bridges?
Disaster Scenarios that’s something we could not do before.”
— Jeff Shelton, TTI Associate Research Scientist
− All construction projects must go through the
environmental process—The Federal Highway
Administration requires documentation for
Researchers from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute reconstruction under the National Environmental
are developing such a plan, using computer simulation Policy Act. Due to the huge economic burden this
and modeling to develop appropriate responses to a event places on the economy, can the documentation
disaster scenario involving the collapse of the Interstate process be expedited?
10 / U.S. Highway 54 interchange combined with a
“The total amount of US-Mexico trade is about $300
closure of the Bridge of the Americas port of entry in
billion a year, over $30 billion of that passes through
Mexico. In this example of a worst-case scenario, re-
El Paso,” says TTI Research Scientist Rafael Aldrete. “So
searchers are determining both the short- and long-term any disruption to that commercial activity would be
impacts on the transportation system and how the dis- massive. With a pro-active plan, we are better able to
ruptions would affect the regional economy. minimize that disruption.”
“An extreme event will have an immediate impact on
both commuter traffic and commercial traffic, and it will “The total amount of US-Mexico trade is
also have impacts months after the event happens,” says about $300 billion a year, over $30 billion
TTI Associate Research Scientist Jeff Shelton. “We now
have the ability to anticipate the impact of both the im-
of that passes through El Paso.”
mediate and longer-term effects on both sides of the bor- — Rafael Aldrete, TTI Research Scientist
der, and that’s something we could not do before now.”
The findings of their research should make local agen- The study is being funded by the Center for International
cies better able to: Intelligent Transportation Research, with addition-
al support from the El Paso Metropolitan Planning
− Identify those areas that would be most adversely Organization. MPO officials expect the research to
affected by traffic pattern changes. provide insight and possible improvements to existing
emergency response plans. In addition, they expect
− Predict traffic pattern changes.
the results to improve the overall MPO planning pro-
− Pinpoint where corrections to existing traffic control cess and the Horizon 2040 Metropolitan Plan now in
and demand management may be needed. development.
− Identify and recommend alternate routes to divert
A devastating flood in 2006 tested the El Paso region’s ability to deal traffic from affected areas.
“Disasters typically happen with little or no warning,
and the consequences can be catastrophic,” Shelton
with a natural disaster. Six years later, a relatively minor (2.5 magnitude) earth- Apart from the mobility-related impacts, the research- says. “The best that we can do is to be ready for any-
quake rattled the area, fortunately causing no injuries or damage, but still raising ers say, extreme events carry significant public safety thing. That’s a very lofty goal, but we’re a big step
consequences, sometimes severely limiting how emer- closer now.”
questions about what might have been. The events had two things in common. gency vehicles can make their way to, from, or through
Both were highly unusual occurrences, and both underscored the need for an affected areas.
effective plan to keep traffic moving in the aftermath of a catastrophic event. The research team is also doing an economic impact
For more information contact Jeff Shelton
at j-shelton@tamu.edu
analysis to determine the financial costs associated with
16 | Safety net | SPRING 2013 SPRING 2013 | Safety net | 17
Center for Transportation Safety Center for Transportation Safety
“In the last decade
TDS has worked hard to
change the way teens
think about driving.”
TDS Named — Russell Henk, TDS Director
Best Practice
in Highway Safety Report
The Teens in the Driver Seat Program
(TDS) has been highlighted as a best practice in the 2012
Texas Highway Safety Annual Report.
“In the last decade we have worked hard to change the way
Other programs highlighted are:
teens think about driving,” said TDS Director Russell Henk. “It
is an honor to be recognized as a best practice by our biggest • Texas A&M AgriLife’s Brazos
sponsor.” Valley Injury Prevention
Coalition,
Each year, the Texas
“TDS is saving lives Department of Transportation • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
(TxDOT) selects a hand- Service Passenger Safety,
because young people are
ful of programs to highlight • Region 6 Education Service
driving the program. Every in the report. TxDOT’s best Center School Bus Safety
element, every facet, and practices are defined as Training 101,
every refinement of TDS is innovative or unique prac-
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s
tices to achieve a goal and
influenced by young people.” exceed required performance
Take the Wheel Program, and
— Texas Highway Safety objectives. • Texas Municipal Police
Annual Report Association’s Reducing Impaired
What makes TDS a best prac- Driving Among Youth: A
tice? According to the report, Statewide Approach.
“TDS is saving lives because young people are driving the
program. Every element, every facet, and every refinement
of TDS is influenced by young people. The program’s profes-
sional staff provides support and direction when appropriate,
but the teens are responsible for making it work. With active
program elements for junior high school students all the way
through college, the breadth of youth reached by the program For more information contact
is also unprecedented and unmatched.” Russell Henk at r-henk@tamu.edu
18 | Safety net | SPRING 2013 SPRING 2013 | Safety net | 19Managing Editor Samantha Atchison
Writers Rick Davenport
Bernie Fette
Leighton James
Jennifer Reiley
Designer Vicky Nelson
Photographer Jim Lyle
FOR MORE Robert Wunderlich
INFORMATION Center Director
Center for Transportation Safety
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3135
(972) 994-2205
rwunderlich@tamu.edu
Safety Research and Outreach
Safetynet is produced quarterly by the Center for Transportation Safety.
The Center, established by the Texas Legislature in 2001, conducts research
and outreach programs through contracts secured with state and federal
governmental agencies, as well as private sector interests. The Center’s
work is focused on developing safer roadways, safer drivers, and
addressing the needs of high-risk groups.You can also read
