Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Psychology

Title: Assessing the Effects of a Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon on Vehicle Speeds

Committee:
Dr. Ronald Van Houten, Chair
Dr. R. Wayne Fuqua
Dr. Heather McGee
Dr. William Rantz

Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 10:00 a.m. to Noon
3715 Wood Hall

Abstract:
In 2008, nearly 31% of vehicle fatalities were related to failure to adhere to safe vehicle speeds (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2009). Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of a Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon (RRFB) triggered by excessive speed on vehicle speed using a combined alternating treatments and reversal design. Experiment 1 assessed the RRFB’s impact on speeds as compared to baseline conditions only. Experiment 2 compared the RRFB to two standard beacon configurations. Both experiments were conducted at the same site during roughly the same time period. They used the same data collection methodology as well. Experiment 1 appears to indicate that the RRFB resulted in better speed compliance as compared to baseline conditions. Experiment 2 further seems to indicate that the RRFB results in improved speed compliance over both the standard beacon configurations. Overall results of the two studies indicate that the RRFB may be a viable new intervention for reducing speed in transition zones and entries to roadway curves.

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