Field location marking of no-passing zones due to vertical alignments using the global positioning system

摘要

Passing on two-lane roadways is one of the most difficult movements a driver mayperform and guidance on where passing maneuvers are prohibited is given by thelocation of no-passing zones. Currently the processes for identifying no-passing zonelocations can be daunting and many practices require work crews to operate in theroadway creating potentially hazardous situations. Due to these challenges newalternatives need to be developed for the safe, accurate, and efficient location of nopassingzones on two-lane roadways.This thesis addresses the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates toevaluate sight distance along the vertical profile of roadways to provide an alternativefor an automated no-passing zone location system. A system was developed thatprocesses GPS coordinates and converts them into easting and northing values, smoothesinaccurate vertical elevation data, and evaluates roadway profiles for possible sightrestrictions which indicate where no-passing zones should be located. The developed automated no-passing zone program shows potential in that it identifiesthe general location of no-passing zones as compared to existing roadway markings.;however, as concluded by the researcher, further evaluation and refinement is neededbefore the program can be used effectively in the field for the safe, accurate, andefficient location of no-passing zones.