When a traffic signal changes from a green indication to a yellow indication, the approaching driver must decide to either initiate a stop before the intersection or continue through the intersection. If the driver decides to stop, it is because he or she has determined that there is insufficient time to reach the intersection before the change to a red indication. If the driver decides to continue (or "go"), the reason is less clear. It may be that the driver has determined that: (1) a safe stop is not possible, (2) a comfortable stop is not possible, or (3) it is inconvenient to stop. Alternatively, the driver may simply not be aware of the need to stop. Regardless of the reason, if the "going" driver's arrival to the intersection occurs after the indication has changed to red, then the driver is said to have "run the red light." Statistics indicate that red-light-running has become a significant safety problem throughout the United States. There is a wide range of potential countermeasures to the red-light-running problem. These solutions are generally divided into two broad categories: engineering countermeasures and enforcement countermeasures. Enforcement countermeasures are intended to encourage drivers to adhere to the traffic laws through the threat of citation and possible fine. In contrast, engineering countermeasures (which include any modification, extension, or adjustment to an existing traffic control device) are intended to reduce the chances of a driver being in a position where he or she must decide whether or not to run the red. Engineering countermeasures represent an attractive means of combating the red-light-running problem as they are passively applied (in that they attempt to help drivers be lawful); however, more research is needed to identify the range of countermeasures available and their potential effectiveness. This paper describes several countermeasures that have been used to reduce the frequency of red-light-running and associated right-angle collisions. The associated research project, sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation, deals exclusively with engineering countermeasures to the red-light-running problem. These countermeasures and their associated application guidelines are developed for use at urban and suburban signalized intersections.
Samenvatting