Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Psychology

Title: The Effects of Yellow Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) on Motorists’ Yielding, Exit Lane Encroachment and Conflicts at Fire Station Exits

Committee:
Dr. Ronald Van Houten, Chair
Dr. John Austin
Dr. Bradley Huitema
Dr. William Rantz

Date: Thursday, May 19, 2011 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
3715 Wood Hall

Abstract:
The purpose of the current study was to explore the extent to which yellow Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) affected motorists’ yielding, exit lane encroachment and conflicts at fire station exits. This study explored the use of RRFBs attached to sign prompts that alerted motorists to the presence of exiting emergency vehicles. These signs were activated only during an exit event. It was hypothesized that motorists would increase their frequency of safe and legal yielding in the presence of the RRFB intervention when compared to the absence of contextually activated RRFB units. This study was conducted in a Midwestern town in front of a fire station known to have poor yielding compliance in the presence of exiting emergency vehicles. The results suggest that the RRFB intervention was successful at increasing yielding compliance to exiting emergency vehicles during the day and night, with nighttime effectiveness being slightly higher than daytime. Thus, RRFBs may be an effective intervention to increase motorist yielding compliance to exiting emergency vehicles.

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