Details:

Alternative Title:
Maryland Transportation Authority experimental traffic control device testing at Maryland toll plazas : FHWA experimentation #3-181 (ex)-purple dot markings for E-ZPass® lanes, June, 2012
Corporate Creators:
Kittelson & Associates, Inc
Contributors:
Mukai, Roxane Y.
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Highway Traffic Control Road Marking Materials Toll Booths Toll Facilities Toll Plazas Toll Roads Traffic Control Devices
Publication/ Report Number:
Project No. 8157.5
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:
Maryland
Corporate Publisher:
Maryland Transportation Authority
Abstract:
On behalf of the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), Kittelson & Associates, Inc.

(KAI) is conducting an evaluation of an experimental traffic control device at a Maryland toll

plaza. This report summarizes our findings for the evaluation of the purple dot pavement

marking treatment. The purple dots were installed on the northbound Fort McHenry Toll

Plaza approach in Baltimore, Maryland in June 2011. They were installed for three dedicated

E-ZPass® lanes (Lanes 3, 6, and 10) as shown in Figure 4 in the main section of this report.

The goal of applying the purple dots is to improve toll plaza operations and safety between

the tunnel mouth and toll plaza by reducing conflicts created by lane changes and weaving

just prior to the plaza. Additionally, the purple dots are intended to improve wayfinding for

E-ZPass® customers

This is the second time purple dots have been installed on the northbound Fort McHenry

Toll Plaza approach. Under the Phase I experiment, purple dots were installed in November

2005, and removed several years later when a portion of the toll plaza was rebuilt and the

roadway was resurfaced. The results of the Phase I experiment are documented in an MDTA

Report prepared by KAI dated May 11, 2007 (Ref. 1). In Phase I, the purple dots were generally

found to reduce lane changing and increase utilization of the E-ZPass®ONLY lanes on

the right side of the toll plaza.

This report provides the results of the current, Phase II experiment, as well as analysis of

Phase I crash data not available at the time the Phase I report was prepared. The Phase II

experiment was conducted in response to the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA)

comments on the Phase I experiment. At this time, the Phase II purple dots remain in place

at the Fort McHenry Toll Plaza. FHWA granted approval for experimental use of the dots

through July 1, 2012.


Format:
PDF
Collection(s):
US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:7374f649aff40e41cdc57dd4d4cf6523f990207dfe12305aef4a6f60151d286a
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/24690/dot_24690_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

• No Additional Files

More +