Thursday, February 9, 2012

Stop Speeding with the TraffiCalm Variable Speed Sign

By Jessi McCafferty


TraffiCalm has put its innovative driver feedback sign technology into a variable speed sign. These signs offer affordability, straightforwardness of programming, on-site and real-time traffic data collection, immediate effectiveness, and long-term speed reduction.

Improve work section safety, alert drivers of dangerous road conditions, and make school zones safer. The variable speed sign has been proved effective at encouraging speed limit compliance in speed transition zones, work zones, and more problematic traffic areas.

Variable speed limit (VSL) signs are designed to show the speed limit to drivers. TraffiCalm's VSL signs can be set up to discourage speeders by flashing the limit or a strobe light when it detects speed violations. Different speed limits can be programmed via a fixed schedule or the convenient Bluetooth connection.

In 2008, the Utah Dept of Traffic (DOT) commissioned some research to check the efficiency of variable speed limit signs at encouraging speed compliance. They placed some traffic counters, which recorded traffic volume as well as speed, at key intervals along a stretch of road for a few months. They installed 2 VSL signs with predetermined schedules, based on week and/or time of day.

In a 3 month comparison between a static speed limit sign (65 mph), a VSL sign (65 mph), and a second VSL sign (55 miles per hour throughout the day, 65 mph at night), it was determined that the static speed limit signs were the least effective in stopping speed violations.

The static signs constantly had the greatest number and best standard deviations from the posted speed limit, while the variable speed signs caught driver attention and inspired speed compliance, even when the signs instructed drivers to reduce their speed to 55 miles per hour (in contrast to the remainder of the highway's 65 mph limit).

Variable speed signs are the most efficient method of promoting roadway safety for drivers and pedestrians. Crash rates are reduced when rates of speeding are reduced. Survival rates increase as speed decreases.




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