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On the speed reduction potential of pilot vehicle use in work zones

journal contribution
posted on 2016-03-01, 00:00 authored by Ashim DebnathAshim Debnath, R Blackman, N Haworth
Despite significant research efforts to understand the speed reduction potential of work zone interventions, little is known about the reductions achievable by the use of pilot vehicles. This paper innovatively examines the speed reduction potential of pilot vehicles in a Queensland rural highway work zone. Analysis of five days' speed data showed that pilot vehicles reduced mean speeds at the treatment location, but not downstream. The proportion of speeding vehicles was also reduced, particularly those travelling at 10 km/h or more above the posted limit. Motorists were more likely to speed during the day, under a 40 km/h limit and when traffic volumes were higher. Although it is commonly believed that the pilot vehicle controls the speeds of all following vehicles, results of this study showed that the pilot car had greater effects on reducing speeds of vehicles following it closely than on those that are far behind in a traffic stream. To maximise these benefits, it is necessary to ensure that the pilot vehicle itself is not speeding.

History

Journal

Road and transport research: a journal of Australian and New Zealand research and practice

Volume

25

Issue

1

Pagination

18 - 30

Publisher

ARRB Group

Location

Nunawading, Vic.

ISSN

1037-5783

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2016, ARRB Group

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