Ron Van Houten, J. E. Louis Malenfant, Nan Zhao, Byungkon Ko, & Jonathan Van Houten (2005).
Evaluation of two methods of prompting drivers to use specific exits on conflicts between vehicles at the critical exit.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
38, 289-302.
The Florida Department of Transportation used a series of changeable-message
signs that functioned as freeway guide signs to divert traffic to Universal
Theme Park via one of two eastbound exits based on traffic congestion at
the first of the two exits. An examination of crashes along the entire
route indicated a statistically significant increase in crashes at the
first eastbound exit following the actuation of the system. Furthermore,
all of the crashes occurred in close proximity to the exit gore (the
crosshatched area at exits that drivers are not supposed to enter or traverse)
at the first exit. In Experiment 1, behavioral data were collected using
an alternating treatments design. These data revealed that reassigning the
exit signs was effective in producing a change in the percentage of drivers
using each of the two exits. These data also showed that the reassignment
of the theme park exit was associated with an increase in the percentage
of motor vehicle conflicts that consisted of vehicles cutting across
the exit gore. An analysis revealed that the method used for switching
the designated or active theme park exit on the series of changeable-message
signs led to the presentation of conflicting messages to some motorists,
thus resulting in erratic driving behavior (cutting across the exit gore).
In Experiment 2, the treatment evaluated the use of a phased method
of switching the designated theme park exit to eliminate the delivery
of conflicting messages. The new method for switching the
designated theme park exit was not associated with an increase in
motorists cutting across the exit gore.
DESCRIPTORS: motor vehicle conflicts, prompts, conflicting prompts, crashes, alternating treatments design