CHARACTERIZING MOTORIST CELL PHONE USE ON SIGNALIZED CORRIDORS

摘要

This paper outlines the development process for an automated vehicular data collection methodology to characterize driver cell phone use when approaching a signalized intersection. By monitoring directional, active remote cell phone transmissions signatures coupled with camera motion detection, the active use of a cell phone by a driver can be verified via photo review. To detect cell phones, an innovative low-cost Software Defined Radio (SDR) was used to detect in-use cell phones up to 60 ft. Although this novel methodology is in its commercial infancy, the use of SDR along with high gain directional antennas are proving to be a functional means to determine when a driver is engaged in active cell phone use. The innovative data collection methods defined in this paper are concurrently being applied to research projects to determine signalized intersection operation improvements and the impact of anti-cell/texting campaigns.