United States Department of Transportation
i
Analyzing Driver Behavior in Passing Zones with Differential Speed Limits on Two-Lane Two-Way Undivided Highways in Alaska
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2017-12-01
[PDF-2.50 MB]
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Abstract:Due to the relatively high crash rates attributed to two lane highways in Alaska, solutions have been explored to improve safety by providing passing lanes to give drivers a better chance to pass the slow moving vehicles. Drivers of slow moving vehicles tend to drive at higher speed on the more level passing lanes reducing the chance of other to pass. In an earlier pilot study, a fixed-base driving simulator was used to assess the potential safety and operational benefits of multiple passing lane configurations before moving on to any field investments. One such suggestion is differential speed limits-the right lane would have a slower speed limit than the left, enabling easier and thus safer passing showed positive outcomes. Alaska DOT&PF proceeded with implementing a test of these results from the first study on the Seward Highway. Six level passing lane sections on the Seward Highway implemented differential speed limits for the two lanes in each 1-mile passing section during summer 2016 for approximately 1 month to investigate real-life effects. Traffic data were analyzed and driver surveys and video footage were collected to better understand driver behavior in these passing lanes. It was concluded that differential speed limits are not an effective means of mitigating problems associated with passing lanes in Alaska.
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