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Solar-Powered Active Road Studs and Highway Infrastructure: Effect on Vehicle Speeds

Author

Listed:
  • Richard Llewellyn

    (Transport Research Institute, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh EH10 5DT, UK)

  • Jonathan Cowie

    (Transport Research Institute, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh EH10 5DT, UK)

  • Grigorios Fountas

    (Transport Research Institute, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh EH10 5DT, UK)

Abstract

Vehicle speeds have a direct relationship with the severity of road crashes and may influence their probability of occurrence. Solar-powered active road studs have been shown to have a positive effect on driver confidence, but their impact on vehicle speed in conjunction with other road features is little understood. This study aims to address this gap in knowledge through a case study of a 20 km section of a strategic major road featuring a variety of highway infrastructure features. Before-and-after surveys were undertaken at 21 locations along the route using manual radar speed measurement. Analysis of nearly 10,000 speed measurements showed no statistically significant change in mean speeds following the implementation of the road studs. Linear regression models are proposed for two different posted speed limits, associating road features with expected vehicle speed. The models suggest that vehicle speeds are chiefly influenced by merges, curves, gradients, and ambient light conditions. The findings of this study should provide confidence that active road studs may be implemented without a negative impact on speed-related safety. The work also provides further expansion of the evidence base describing the effect of highway infrastructure features on vehicle speeds.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Llewellyn & Jonathan Cowie & Grigorios Fountas, 2021. "Solar-Powered Active Road Studs and Highway Infrastructure: Effect on Vehicle Speeds," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:21:p:7209-:d:670499
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Clifford Winston & Vikram Maheshri & Fred Mannering, 2006. "An exploration of the offset hypothesis using disaggregate data: The case of airbags and antilock brakes," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 32(2), pages 83-99, March.
    2. Richard Llewellyn & Jonathan Cowie & Mike Maher, 2020. "Active Road Studs as an Alternative to Lighting on Rural Roads: Driver Safety Perception," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-16, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marek Guzek & Rafał S. Jurecki & Wojciech Wach, 2022. "Vehicle and Traffic Safety," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-4, June.

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