National Evaluation of the SafeTrip-21 Initiative: I-95 Corridor Coalition Test Bed, Final Evaluation Report: North Carolina Deployment of Portable Traffic-Monitoring Devices

摘要

The purpose of this document is to present the findings of the national evaluation of the deployment of portable trafficmonitoring devices (PTMDs) at a variety of locations in North Carolina conducted under the USDOTs SafeTrip-21 Initiative. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) tested the use of PTMDs in work zones. During this testing, the USDOT conducted an evaluation to gain an understanding of the technical and institutional issues associated with using these types of devices. The purpose of the evaluation is both to learn how highly portable, temporary traffic sensors with a small footprint can provide real-time traffic conditions in work zones and to determine how that information can be used effectively by State Departments of Transportation (DOT) to improve safety and mobility in work zones. Based on their experience during this test, NCDOT personnel reported that the PTMDs were easy to install and maintain. The devices enabled them to focus their activities on the areas that needed the most attention while still monitoring areas that needed less active involvement. Based on the findings from NCDOT users interviewed about PTMDs, the devices appear to be a cost-effective, safe, and flexible means for an agency to monitor traffic conditions on their roadways remotely.