title: Evaluation of the effects of school zone signs and markings on speed reduction: a driving simulator study.
abstract: Traffic control devices are one of the most significant factors affecting driving behavior. In China, there is a lack of installation guidelines or standards for traffic control devices in school zones. In addition, little research has been done to examine the effects of traffic control devices on driving behavior. Few guidelines have been established for implementing traffic control devices in school zones in China. This research conducted a driving simulator experiment to assess the effects of school zone signs and markings for two different types of schools. The efficiency of these traffic control devices was evaluated using four variables derived from the driving simulation, including average speed, relative speed difference, standard deviation of acceleration, and 85th percentile speed. Results showed that traffic control devices such as the Flashing Beacon and School Crossing Ahead Warning Assembly, the Reduce Speed and School Crossing Warning Assembly, and the School Crossing Ahead Pavement Markings were recommended for school zones adjacent to a major multilane roadway, which is characterized by a median strip, high traffic volume, high-speed traffic and the presence of pedestrian crossing signals. The School Crossing Ahead Pavement Markings were recommended for school zones on a minor two-lane roadway, which is characterized by low traffic volume, low speed, and no pedestrian crossing signals.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Engineering Research Center of Urban Transport Operation Guarantee, Beijing Collaborative Innovation Center for Metropolitan Transportation, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124 China.
authors.forename: Xiaohua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Road Safety Research Center, Research Institute of Highway Ministry of Transport, Beijing, 100088 China.
authors.forename: Jiahui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Traffic Operations Division, Texas Department of Transportation, Austin, TX 78701-2483 USA.
authors.forename: Jianming
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Beijing Engineering Research Center of Urban Transport Operation Guarantee, Beijing Collaborative Innovation Center for Metropolitan Transportation, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124 China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rong
keywords: Driver behavior; Driving simulator experiment; Relatively best alternative design; School zone signs and markings; Speed