TxDOT Research Library - TxDOT Research Project

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Wrong Way Driving Countermeasures

Just what will it take to curb the persistent wrong-way driving problem?

What Was the Need?

Crashes caused by driving the wrong way on freeways have been a serious problem since the beginning of America’s Interstate Highway System. And though wrong-way crashes do not occur frequently, their results are almost always devastating, typically resulting in death or serious injury for those involved. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) illustrate the severity of the problem. More than 1,500 wrong-way driving crashes occurred on U.S. divided highways from 2004 to 2009, resulting in 2,139 deaths. According to NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, about 360 people die each year in wrong-way driving (WWD) crashes. Most research has focused on quantifying the problem. This research effort concentrated more on identifying which countermeasures and detection systems could be most effective in mitigating the problem.

What's the Solution?

Researchers conducted closed-course studies involving alcohol-impaired drivers to gauge the effectiveness of certain WWD countermeasures. They also analyzed data from several transportation agencies in Texas to assess mitigation measures already in place. In addition, researchers conducted focus groups with drivers. Data from a test corridor along U.S. 281 in San Antonio showed that WRONG WAY signs outlined at the borders with red flashing LED lights were effective at reducing the frequency of WWD events, though these strategies did little to help alcohol-impaired drivers.

Research Benefits

Study findings demonstrated that agencies should employ a wide array of countermeasures and mitigation methods to combat the WWD problem. Researchers believe that low-cost customary and innovative traffic control devices can be effective at reducing the frequency of WWD events, but these strategies may not effectively capture the attention of or be understood by highly intoxicated drivers, who are responsible for a large share of the WWD problem. For that reason, WWD detection systems are needed. Researchers are confident that advancements in the integration of infrastructure and connected vehicles could create new potential approaches to the WWD problem.

AASHTO High Value Research 2016 award winner (Formerly AASHTO “Sweet 16”)

Project Number

0-6769

Status

Completed

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Project Details

Start Date

9/1/2012

End Date

8/31/2014

Performing Institution(s)

Texas A & M Transportation Institute (TTI)

Research Team

RS: Melisa Finley, Darrin Jensen

Sponsor

Project Manager

Wade Odell

Publications from this Project

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Functional Area

Safety and Operations

Index Terms

Countermeasures
Crash data
Head on collisions
Traffic crashes
Urban areas
Wrong way driving

Lead University

TTI

Researcher

Finley, Melisa D. (Melisa Dayle)

User Feedback

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Comments

kevyn

"TxDOT San Antonio’s program to stop wrong-way drivers in their tracks to save lives won a 2015 National Roadway Safety Award in Washington, DC earlier this week. About 40 wrong-way crashes have been prevented in San Antonio since the program started. This is important because data shows that most wrong-way crashes are deadly.
"TxDOT installed sensors to detect if a driver is going the wrong way down the main lanes of a highway. When the sensor is activated, it triggers flashing LED “wrong way” signs to light up on the overhead highway signs. Standard flashing LED “wrong way” signs have also been added to about 50 exit ramps across the city. Operators in the TransGuide center to monitor real-time cameras so law enforcement can quickly apprehend wrong-way drivers before a crash occurs, as well as display messages to warn other drivers that a wrong-way driver is on the road." -- https://www.facebook.com/TxDOT/posts/10153669387550874 November 18, 2015

11/30/2015 at 9:54 AM

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kevyn

This project was selected as one of the AASHTO RAC's (Research Advisory Council) 2016 Sweet Sixteen High Value Research Projects. http://research.transportation.org/Pages/Sweet-sixteen_2016.aspx

8/3/2016 at 2:56 PM

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kevyn

Discussion on implementation efforts from this project in San Antonio presented at the November 6, 2018 TxSTIC meeting: https://youtu.be/Ld5G-z9xNMw?t=10477

11/8/2018 at 4:45 PM

Helpful?

kevyn

San Antonio Express-News (Dec. 3, 2017) https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/TxDOT-Records-65th-Save-In-Wrong-Way-12402475.php

News 4 San Antonio (Feb. 18, 2018): https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/txdot-incorporating-new-technology-to-crack-down-on-wrong-way-drivers

KSAT 12 (Feb. 2, 2017): https://www.ksat.com/news/defenders/wrong-way-drivers-still-taking-innocent-lives-despite-6-year-effort-to-solve-problem

11/8/2018 at 4:52 PM

Helpful?

kevyn

In the 2/10/2012 TxDOT Podcast "Turning Around: SAPD, TxDOT Battling Wrong-Way Drivers in San Antonio," Larry Krantz interviews San Antonio Police Captain Patrick Murnin about the issue that led to this research project.
"When asked to think about San Antonio, most people picture the Alamo or the Riverwalk. But two years ago, San Antonio was gaining notoriety for something less inviting: wrong-way drivers. Spurred into action by this alarming trend, San Antonio Police Captain Patrick Murnin began studying the problem, and today, that research and the actions that have come from it, are stemming the tide of what was becoming a deadly problem."--

4/21/2020 at 3:44 PM

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Record Added:

3/18/2015

Record Updated:

5/31/2023 12:33 PM EDT

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