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Abstract for presentation (Poster or Podium) with a Paper in the Conference Proceedings

Transportation Safety

Effect of Crash Barriers on Driver Behavior

Sunday, June 16, 2024

1:15 PM - 2:30 PM ET

Room: Galleria

Primary Author(s)

Vasantha Wickramasinghe, BSc. Eng., MEng. PhD

Senior Lecturer
UoP
Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka

Co-Author(s)

NS

Nipuna Seneviratne, BSc.Eng

Undergraduate Student
University of Peradeniya
Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka
HS

Hasara Senevirathana, BSc.Eng.

Undergraduate Student
University of Peradeniya
Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka

Presenter(s)

Sunanda Dissanayake, PhD, P.E., F.ASCE

Chair and Professor
Kennesaw State University
Marietta, GA, United States

Submitter(s)

VW

Vasantha Wickramasinghe, Dr.

UoP
Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka

Abstract:

Road accidents pose a significant public health concern, incurring substantial costs. Crash barriers can prevent accidents and mitigate consequences, but limited research exists on driver behavior, especially in mild curves on single-path, two-way roads. This study addresses the road safety gap, focusing on crash barriers' impact on speed and lateral displacement. A Class "AB" road in flat terrain was chosen, with two consecutive mild curves, one with a barrier and one without. These curves were chosen for a controlled analysis with similar landmarks. Data collection used drones for speed and lateral displacement at entry, midpoint, and exit, with still cameras for vehicle identification. Statistical analysis, employing SPSS t-tests, compared speeds and lateral displacements at curves with and without barriers, revealing significant differences (p < 0.05). Subsequent multivariate regression was performed to analyse crash barrier effects on driver behavior across vehicle categories. In conclusion, this research optimizes crash barrier designs, enhances safety in mild two-way road curves, and paves the way for future improvements.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees can expect to learn the following from this session:

distinguish whether there is a significant different in speed with and without crash barriers
distinguish whether there is a significant different in lateral displacement with and without crash barriers
optimize the speed and lateral displacement with and without crash barriers