Highway Safety Countermeasures National Conference of State Legislatures May 14, 2009 Stephen Oesch
Intersections
Intersection crashes More than 2.4 million in 2007 5 crashes per minute 1 serious injury crash every 6 minutes 1 fatality per hour
Roundabouts
Roundabouts are safer and more efficient
Percent reductions in crashes associated with roundabouts at 23 U.S. intersections 2001
Virginia legislative resolution, 2002 Whereas An 8-state study of 24 intersections changed from stop signs and traffic signals to modern roundabouts between 1992 and 1997 revealed a 39 percent reduction in crashes for the converted intersections; and roundabouts control traffic flow at intersections Widespread construction of roundabouts can produce substantial reductions in crash losses associated with motor vehicles on roads; now, therefore Be it resolved by the house of delegates, the senate concurring, that the department of transportation be encouraged to construct more roundabouts instead of signalized intersections.
Montana legislative resolution, 2005 Whereas Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that fatal intersection crashes increased 18% from 1992 to 1998 Roundabouts control traffic flow at intersections Other states and countries are constructing roundabouts 8-state study of 24 intersections before and after roundabouts found 39% fewer crashes and 76% fewer injury crashes Be it resolved to encourage roundabouts instead of right-angle intersections with signals
Progress in building roundabouts April 2006 WA OR CA NV ID UT AZ MT WY CO NM ND SD NE KS OK TX MN IA MO AR LA WI IL MS MI IN OH KY TN AL GA VT NY PA WV VA NC SC NH ME MA NJ RI CT DE MD DC AK FL planning & building being considered; few built little or no activity HI
Progress in building roundabouts 2008 WA OR CA NV ID UT AZ MT WY CO NM ND SD NE KS OK TX MN IA MO AR LA WI IL MS MI IN OH KY TN AL GA VT NY PA WV VA NC SC NH ME MA NJ RI CT DE MD DC AK FL planning & building being considered; few built little or no activity HI
Estimated crash reductions if 10 percent of intersections in US converted to roundabouts Approximately 78,000 crashes prevented annually, including: 500 fatal crashes 50,000 injury crashes
Estimated annual economic savings if 10 percent of intersections in US converted to roundabouts Vehicle delays reduced by about 8 million hours Fuel consumption reduced by more than 5 million gallons
Automated enforcement
Annual red light running toll, 2007 186,000 crashes 153,000 injured persons 895 deaths About half of the deaths are pedestrians and occupants of other vehicles hit by red light runners
Red light camera system components 1. Red light camera 2. Loop detectors 3. Electronic connection between RLC, loops, and traffic signal 2 1 3
red light camera program
Citywide crash reductions with red light cameras Oxnard, California
Violations per 10,000 vehicles Philadelphia sites with cameras camera 1 camera 2 camera 3 camera 4 camera 5 camera 6 0 baseline yellow timing change red light cameras
States using red light and speed cameras May 2009
Minicars and low-speed vehicles
Lincoln Town Car and Smart ForTwo To scale comparison
Federal standard for low-speed vehicles In June 1998 NHTSA set reduced safety standards for vehicles intended for use in low-speed, controlled environments, such as retirement communities Definition of low-speed vehicle Minimum speed of 20 mph and maximum speed of 25 mph Weight less than 3,000 pounds Four wheels Required equipment includes: Head, tail, and stop lights Turn signals Exterior mirrors Windshield Lap or lap/shoulder belts
Low-speed electric vehicles
States permitting low-speed vehicles on some roads May 2009
NHTSA denies petition to set reduced safety standards for medium-speed vehicles September 2008 Three auto companies filed petitions asking NHTSA to create a new class of motor vehicles, which would have a top speed of 35 mph. NHTSA denied the petition because: The introduction of such a class of motor vehicle without the full complement of safety features required for other light vehicles, such as passenger cars, would result in significant greater risk of deaths and serious injuries.
States permitting medium-speed vehicles on some roads May 2009 WA OR CA NV ID UT AZ MT WY CO NM ND SD NE KS OK TX MN IA MO AR LA WI IL MS MI IN OH KY TN AL GA VT NY PA WV VA NC SC NH ME MA NJ RI CT DE MD DC AK FL no law 35 mph maximum speed 45 mph maximum speed 50 mph maximum speed HI
Japanese minitrucks
States with laws allowing minitrucks on roads May 2009
Two-seater targeting city driving to hit 35 mph GM/Segway P.U.M.A. The Detroit News, 4-7-09
Dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage on the highway