This paper describes how global positioning system (GPS) and video technology could be used as a valuable tool by transportation engineers to obtain better information about the interaction between drivers and road engineering features. The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of using in-vehicle video and GPS to determine driver infractions related to road engineering, and compare these infractions to crash data for road segments and intersections. The research leading to this paper involved subjects of various ages, driving a specific 26 km course of residential, collector, arterial and expressway roadways, while video of the roadway scene and GPS data were recorded. Drivers were assigned infractions based on the video and GPS determined speeds according to the provincial Driver and Vehicle Licensing Examination form (e.g., speeding, improper turning, etc.). On average, subjects had approximately 200 demerit points each over thewhole course (the maximum before failing a driving test is 50 demerit points). A subset of those infractions interpreted as engineering-related, were compared to police reported crashes along the route over a three-year period. Geographic information systems (GIS) were used in the analysis to locate the reported crashes spatially. The paper discusses the applicationof GPS and video technology, as well as its benefits and limitations. Thefindings from this research suggest that this technology could assist traffic engineers make more informed decisions about road design and traffic engineering improvements.
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