Project and Report (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. M.S. 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 77). Also available via the Internet.

Master of Science

The objective of this study was to provide an estimate of the protected dual left turn saturation flow rates in the Tucson area. The data were collected from dual left turn lanes at six intersections. The headway times were measured in order to calculate the saturation flow rates at each of the study sites. Observations were made at four intersections with left turn protected and at two intersections with permitted plus protected left turns. Saturation flow was measured from the third to the last vehicle in the queue. Observations were made during the time of expected peak traffic flow. A stop watch was used to measure the time intervals to the nearest tenth of a second. The saturation flow rates were then calculated and varied from 1621 to 2017 Vehicles Per Hour of Green Per Lane (VPHGL) for the inside lane to 1737 to 1802 VPHGL in the outside lane.

No description available.

No description available.

Two way left turn lanes (TWLTL) and raised medians are common median treatments on roadways. This research focused on evaluating the safety effectiveness of conversion of TWLTLs into raised medians using Before-After and Cross Sectional Studies. In the Before-After Studies, we evaluated the effect of this treatment using the Naive, Before-After with Comparison Group (CG), and Before-After with Empirical Bayes (EB) Methods. In order to apply these methods, a total of 33 segments of a treated group and 109 segments of a comparison group have been collected. Also, safety performance functions (SPFs) have been developed using the negative binomial model in order to calibrate crash modification factors (CMF) using the Before-After with Empirical Bayes Method. This research also evaluated the safety effectiveness of this treatment on four and six lane roads using Before-After with CG and Before-After with EB. The type of raised medians was further evaluated using Before-After with CG and EB. In sum, the results from this study show that applying the before-After and Cross Sectional studies have proved that the conversion from a TWLTL to a raised median helped to reduce total, fatal and injury, head on, angle, and left turn crashes. It significantly reduces crashes for head-on and left turn crashes, by restricting turning maneuvers. Also, this study has proved that the treatment is more effective on four rather than six lane roads. Furthermore, two types of raised medians, concrete and lawn curb, were evaluated after the conversion from TWLTLs. It was found that both medians have similar effects due to the conversion, and both median types helped in reducing the number of crashes.

At signalized intersections, pedestrians are considered to be amongst the most vulnerable. When in the crosswalk at intersections without protected left-turn phasing, pedestrians are particularly at risk from left-turning vehicles. Until recently, a wide variety of indications were in use across the US to indicate a permissive left-turn condition to the driver. In Oregon, the Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA) has been used to indicate the permissive left-turn condition for approximately 10 years. With the addition of the FYA in the 2009 MUTCD, it is likely that its use will continue to increase nationally. Though many operational and safety issues have been studied about the FYA indication, this research proposes to fully investigate factors that influence driver behavior in the context of the permissive left-turn conflict with pedestrians. Specifically, the research seeks to study driver glance behavior to identify reasons why drivers are, "looking at but not seeing" pedestrians in or near the crosswalk or not searching for the presence of pedestrians at all. / Graduation date: 2013