KUKU

KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Determining the Effectiveness of Graphic-aided Portable Changeable Message Signs in Highway Work Zones

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Huang_ku_0099D_12194_DATA_1.pdf (5.493Mb)
    Issue Date
    2012-08-31
    Author
    Huang, Yilei
    Publisher
    University of Kansas
    Format
    235 pages
    Type
    Dissertation
    Degree Level
    Ph.D.
    Discipline
    Civil, Environmental, & Architectural Engineering
    Rights
    This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Portable changeable message signs (PCMSs) have been employed in highway work zones as a temporary traffic control device in the United Stated for many years. The traditional message format on PCMSs is text-based, which has been found to have several limitations in recent studies, such as confusing drivers and delaying their responses during driving, being difficult to read for elderly drivers and non-English-speaking drivers, difficult to see under adverse viewing conditions, and having a short range of legibility. The use of graphic-aided messages on PCMSs has many advantages over text-based PCMSs based on a number of previous laboratory simulation experiments. This research project was conducted using field experiments and driver surveys to determine the effectiveness of graphic-aided PCMS in reducing vehicle speeds in the upstream of one-lane two-way rural highway work zones. Field experiments and surveys were designed and conducted in two phases. Field experiment Phase I was performed to compare the effectiveness of a text PCMS, two text-graphic PCMSs, and a graphic PCMS in reducing vehicle speeds in highway work zones. Through the driver surveys in Phase I, it was found that 12% to 21% of drivers were confused by the work zone graphic. Therefore, field experiment Phase II was conducted to compare the effectiveness of five graphic-aided PCMSs with the original work zone graphic and two redesigned work zone graphics (two alternative graphics) in reducing vehicle speeds. In addition, driver survey Phase II was performed to determine drivers' acceptance of the implementation of graphic-aided PCMS in highway work zones. Vehicle speed data and driver survey data were analyzed using a variety of statistical methods, including frequency analysis, linear and nonlinear regression models, hypothesis tests, independent two-sample t-tests, and Chi-square tests of independence. The major findings of this research project included the comparison of the effectiveness of text, text-graphic, and graphic PCMSs in reducing mean vehicle speeds in the upstream of highway work zones; the comparison of the effectiveness of graphic-aided PCMSs with the original and alternative work zone graphics in reducing mean vehicle speeds; and drivers' perception of graphics on PCMSs, acceptance of graphic-aided PCMSs, and preferences of message formats under different PCMSs. Based on the findings, recommendations were made for future research and implementation of graphic-aided PCMSs in the work zones. The results of this study provided valuable knowledge to government agencies and the transportation industry on how to regulate and utilize graphic-aided PCMSs in highway work zones.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/10200
    Collections
    • Dissertations [4474]
    • Engineering Dissertations and Theses [1055]

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    The University of Kansas
      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps