• Proceedings of the KOR-KST Conference
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• 1996.02a
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• pp.59-86
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• 1996

Current methods for evaluating unsignalized intersections, and estimating level-of-service (LOS) is determined from efficiency-based criteria such as little or no delay to very long delays. At present, similar procedures to evaluate intersections using safety-based criteria do not exist. The improvement of sight distances at intersections is the most effective way of improving intersection safety. However, a set of procedures is necessary to account for the limitations in current methodology. Such an approach would build upon such methods, but also account for: deficiencies in the current deterministic solution for the determination of intersection sight distances; opportunity for an accident and severity of an accident; and cost-effectiveness of attaining various levels of sight distances. In this research, a model that estimates the degree of safety at two-way stop-controlled intersections is described. Only crossing maneuvers are considered in this study because accidents caused by the crossing maneuvers are the dominate type among intersection accidents. Monte Carlo methods are used to estimate the hazard at an intersection as a function of roadway features and traffic conditions. Driver`s minimum gap acceptance in the crossing vehicles and headway distribution on the major road are used in the crossing vehicles and headway distribution on the major road are used in the model to simulate the real intersectional maneuvers. Other random variables addressed in the model are: traffic speeds; preception-reaction times of both drivers in the crossing vehicles and drivers in oncoming vehicles on the major road; and vehicles on the major roads. The developed model produces the total number of conflicts per year per vehicle and total potential kinetic energy per year per vehicle dissipated during conflicts as measurements of safety at intersections. Based on the results from the developed simulation model, desirable sight distances for various speeds were determined as 350 feet, 450 feet and 550 feet for 40 mph, 50 mph and 60 mph prevailing speed on the major road, respectively. These values are seven to eight percent less than those values recommended by AASHTO. A safety based level-of-service (LOS) is also developed using the results of the simulation model. When the total number of conflicts per vehicle is less than 0.05 at an intersection, the LOS of the intersection is `A' and when the total number of conflicts per vehicle is larger than 0.25 at an intersection, the LOS is `F'. Similarly, when the total hazard per vehicle is less than 350, 000 1b-ft2/sec2, the LOS is `F'. Once evaluation of the current safety at the intersection is complete, a sensitivity analysis can be done by changing one or more input parameters. This will estimate the benefit in terms of time and budget of hazard reduction based upon improving geometric and traffic characteristics at the intersection. This method will also enable traffic engineers in local governments to generate a priority list of intersection improvement projects.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.697-705
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• 2021

Currently, roadway operation agencies provide interior zones of tunnels with emergency information including crash, fire, and vehicles' stop, through state-of-the-art technologies such as variable message signs and radio-based broadcast systems. However, when coping with an emergency in tunnel interior zones, such information could be too late for drivers to access. A radio-based emergency alert system at the access zones of freeway tunnels, on the other hand,could be a good alternative for solving this problem. Therefore, the objective of this study is to assess user acceptability of such an alternative system. To carry out this study, an online survey was conducted on 762 drivers, and the survey results were analyzed using a structural equation modeling to identify factors affecting acceptability of the proposed system. As a result, driver characteristics such as age group, driving frequency, and driving career, utilization of conventional traffic information, and usefulness of conventional traffic information have a positive impact on acceptability. It is expected that the findings of the study will be a basis to effectively address and deploy a new emergency alert system at the access zones of freeway tunnels.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2017

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices advises that, "Signs should be placed on the right side of the roadway where they are easily recognized and understood by road users." Guidance is provided on the spacing and prioritization of signs, and in some conditions, additional steps may be needed to ensure that signs are conspicuous. This study proposes a design methodology using ergonomics concepts applied to traffic sign and street name signs. Initially, a literature revision on cognitive ergonomics is performed. Several design methodologies are analyzed and the aspects to be considered in traffic signs are selected.. In this study, problems of traffic signs in Korea were identified through the comparative analysis of domestic and foreign traffic signs and a prototype of ergonomic traffic sign was developed based on the analysis results. And the driver's views on the developed traffic sign were investigated. In addition, based on the results of this study, this study is to provide the necessary foundation for improving traffic signs in order to help the various age groups of drivers to reach their destinations without difficulties when they drive.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.2 no.1 s.2
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• pp.53-62
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• 2003

This paper demonstrates the in-vehicle dilemma zone warning system (DZWS) project developed as a part of the Driver Advisory and Collision Warning System in Automated Vehicle and Highway System (AVHS). The DZWS project, one of the Korea national ITS projects in 2000 develops the in-vehicle warning device to support drivers' decision making on whether to stop or to proceed to clear the intersection prior to the onset of yellow signal for avoiding the high risk of collision at signalized intersections through the dedicated short range communication (DSRC). This paper explores the design of optimal communication systems between roadway and vehicles, the operational and functional concepts of dilemma zone warning system based on appropriate approach speeds, and the system integration for field test at two sites of signalized intersections. Findings from the system integration indicated that the system would be implemented in eliminating the dilemma zone relative to approach speeds and in reducing red light violations and intersection collisions through the in-vehicle warning device at signalized intersection.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.101-111
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• 2012

PURPOSES: Because expressway ramps are very complex segments where diverse roadway design elements dynamically change within relatively short length, drivers on ramps are required to drive their cars carefully for safety. Especially, ramps on expressways are designed to guarantee driving at high speed so that the risk and severity of traffic accidents on expressway ramps may be higher and more deadly than other facilities on expressways. Safe deceleration maneuvers are required on off-ramps, whereas safe acceleration maneuvers are necessary on onramps. This difference in required maneuvers may contribute to dissimilar patterns and severity of traffic accidents by ramp types. Therefore, this study was aimed at developing prediction models of the severity of traffic accidents on expressway on- and off-ramps separately in order to consider dissimilar patterns and severity of traffic accidents according to types of ramps. METHODS: Four-year-long traffic accident data between 2007 and 2010 were utilized to distinguish contributing design elements in conjunction with AADT and ramp length. The prediction models were built using the negative binomial regression model consisting of the severity of traffic accident as a dependent variable and contributing design elements as in independent variables. RESULTS: The developed regression models were evaluated using the traffic accident data of the ramps which was not used in building the models by comparing actual and estimated severity of traffic accidents. Conclusively, the average prediction error rates of on-ramps and offramps were 30.5% and 30.8% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prediction models for the severity of traffic accidents on expressway on- and off-ramps will be useful in enhancing the safety on expressway ramps as well as developing design guidelines for expressway ramps.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2007

Despite the role of tunnels in today's roadway environment, the study on tunnel lighting is still scant. Drivers passing through a tunnel face some difficulties caused by the visual differences between outside and inside of the tunnel. The whitehole phenomenon at a tunnel exit-zone severely decreases the driver's visibility in the daytime. A probeam lighting is generally recommended for the prevention of it. This paper simulates an exit-zone with a whitehole phenomenon to verify the effect of probeam lighting. Even though the tunnel lighting is important, it is not easy to consider enough number of lighting alternatives at the stage of tunnel design due to the complexity of tunnel conditions. This paper is expected to contribute improving the visibility in tunnels, especially at the exit-zone.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.116-128
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• 2017

Traffic accidents can be defined as a physical collision event of vehicles occurred instantaneously when drivers do not perceive the surrounding vehicles and roadway environments properly. Therefore, detecting the high potential events that cause traffic accidents with monitoring the interactions among the surroundings continuously by driver is the prerequisite for prevention the traffic accidents. For the analysis, basic data were collected to analyze interactions using a test vehicle which is equipped the GPS(Global Positioning System)-IMU(Inertial Measurement Unit), camera, radar and RiDAR. From the collected data, highway geometric information and the surrounding traffic situation were analyzed and then safety evaluation algorithm for driving vehicle was developed. In order to detect a dangerous event of interaction with surrounding vehicles, locations and speed data of surrounding vehicles acquired from the radar sensor were used. Using the collected data, the tangent and curve section were divided and the driving safety evaluation algorithm which is considered the highway geometric characteristic were developed. This study also proposed an algorithm that can assess the possibility of collision against surrounding vehicles considering the characteristics of geometric road structure. The methodology proposed in this study is expected to be utilized in the fields of autonomous vehicles in the future since this methodology can assess the driving safety using collectible data from vehicle's sensors.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.149-161
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• 2022

Because the speed limit affects moving speed, it is closely related to traffic accidents as well as traffic flow. The existing speed limit calculation methods consider various engineering factors such as lanes, intersection spacing, driveways, crosswalks, 85 percentile speed, land uses, and roadway geometric characteristics etc. However, it can be said that the engineering analysis is insufficient because the traffic impact analysis considering traffic volume is not carried out. In addition, only 85 percentile speed, which is the spot speed, does not reflect the characteristics of the traffic flow on the road. In this paper, the effect of the speed limit change on the moving speed and the travel speed was analyzed in detail accordinr to the variation of intersection spacing and traffic volume. And by using the results, we proposed a speed limit calculation method that maintains the same service level as before the speed limit change, thereby increasing the speed improvement effect and reducing the difference between moving speed and travel speed. In addition, a variable speed limit operation method according to the change in traffic volume was also suggested. This method is expected to be effective in terms of safety by reducing the speed difference, which affects the severity of traffic accidents, while securing the speed improvement effect, and increasing the speed limit compliance rate of drivers by operating the speed limit that reflects the speed change due to the variation of traffic volume.