Ruiz Cruz, Bryan

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    Use of driving simulator for the operational and safety evaluation of signage and pavement markingss: a case study of P.R. Dynamic Toll LANE
    (2018) Ruiz Cruz, Bryan; Valdés Díaz, Didier M.; College of Engineering; Colucci Ríos, Benjamín; Pagán Trinidad, Ismael; Department of Civil Engineering; Vicente Vélez, Nancy V.
    This research study evaluates alternative overhead signs and in-lane pavement markings in the existing 10.4 km (6.5 mi) PR-22 Dynamic Toll Lane (DTL) facility in Puerto Rico. The DTL is a type of managed lane that combines three operational strategies, namely, congestion pricing, reversible lane, and a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. However, safety and operational issues have generated the need for investigating if the existing signage configuration efficiently conveys information to indicate drivers about the express lane exit. For instance, it has been observed that several drivers have used the BRT exit lane while others performed last moment lane changes into the DTL exit, creating potential conflict points that affect the safety of road users and the operation of the BRT system. An initial simulation study was performed (Phase I) using the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM) driving simulator system. In this phase, driving behavior of subject drivers exposed to the existing conditions of PR-22 DTL (Configuration 1) was compared to a proposed treatment using signs and in-lane pavement markings (Configuration 2) based on the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Research results showed that there was no sufficient statistical evidence to indicate that the proposed treatment improved driving behavior. Therefore, a new proposed treatment was developed based on the MUTCD and the results of an online survey, which was generated to gather participants understanding of managed lane signs and pavement markings. This new proposed treatment using alternative signs and in-lane pavement markings (Configuration 2 in Phase II) was evaluated with respect to the existing conditions of PR-22 DTL (Configuration 1). A total of 24 subject drivers drove six (6) scenarios of the same configuration. The independent variables Traffic Flow and Time of Day were used to develop the scenarios. Safety improvements in driving behavior were evaluated using three performance measures, namely, Average Lane Position, Average Speed and Acceleration Noise and four (4) consecutive zones of interest within 1 km prior to the exit. The major research finding show that subject drivers Average Lane Position was improved since significant differences were observed in the evaluated zones of interest. Participants exposed to the proposed treatment (Configuration 2 in Phase II) choose the correct exit lane and performed lane changing maneuvers with anticipation when compared with participants exposed to the existing conditions (Configuration 1). Participants Average Speed was significant in 50% of the evaluated zones of interest. Furthermore, subject drivers acceleration noise was significant in 25% of the evaluated zones of interest. Future research may include the identification and development of alternative treatments that could significantly reduce participant’s average speed and acceleration noise. Nevertheless, driving behavior can be enhanced if the proposed signs and pavement markings are incorporated in PR-22 DTL since drivers improved their lane choice and perform lane changes with much anticipation, thereby improving the operation and safety of the PR-22 managed lane facility.