An Evaluation of Guide Signing at Right Multilane Freeway Exits with Optional Lanes
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Technical R~ort Documentation Paee 1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No. FHWNTX-97/1467-5 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date AN EVALUATION OF GUIDE SIGNING AT RIGHT MULTILANE September 1996 FREEWAY EXITS WITH OPTIONAL LANES 6. Perfonning Organization Code 7. Author(s) 8. Perfonning Organization Report No. Richard A. Somers, H. Gene Hawkins, Jr., Debbie Jasek, and Thomas Research Report 1467-5 Urbanik II 9. Perfonning Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. (TRAlS) Texas Transportation Institute The Texas A&M University System 11. Contract or Grant No. College Station, Texas 77843-3135 Study No. 0-1467 12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period Covered Texas Department of Transportation Final: Research and Technology Transfer Office November 1993-August 1996 P. O. Box 5080 14. Sponsoring Agency Code Austin, Texas 78763-5080 15. Supplementary Notes Research performed in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. Research Study Title: Urban Highway Operations Research and Implementation 16. Abstract This research study investigated guide signing practices used around the state and the rest of the nation for multilane exits. In particular, the research focused on signing for multilane exits with optional lanes. Photographs were taken of guide signing at multilane interchanges in the cities of San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth, Texas. In addition, a questionnaire was sent to the state traffic engineers of each state, asking that they indicate their method of signing for a multilane exit with an optional lane and a secondary ramp split. The results of both studies indicated that a variety of signing practices for multilane exits are used in Texas and across the nation. A review of previous research showed that most drivers understand the EXIT ONLY panel, commonly used to communicate a lane drop; however, as many as one half of all drivers are confused by the current method of signing used in Texas for an optional lane at a multilane exit. Guide signing alternatives were developed to improve driver comprehension of the optional lane situation at a multilane exit. The developed alternatives were tested against the recommended method of signing in two evaluations: an initial driver survey and a laboratory study. The phrase liMA Y EXIT" was found to be the best understood alternative in the initial survey. In the laboratory study, however, the differences between the various alternatives were small. The research findings indicate that the current method of signing for multilane exits should continue to be used. Additional evaluations should continue in this subject area. 17. Key Words 18. Distribution Statement Freeway Guide Signing, Multilane Interchange, No restrictions. This document is available to the Guide Signing, Freeway Exit, Multilane Exit public through NTIS: National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, Virginia 22161 19. Security Classif(ofthis report) 20. Security Classif(ofthis page) 21. No. of Pages I 22. Price Unclassified Unclassified 180 FormDOTF 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized AN EVALUATION OF GUIDE SIGNING AT RIGHT MULTILANE FREEWAY EXITS WITH OPTIONAL LANES by Richard A. Somers Graduate Research Assistant Texas Transportation Institute H. Gene Hawkins, Jr., Ph.D., P. E. Associate Research Engineer Texas Transportation Institute Debbie Jasek Research Associate Texas Transportation Institute and Thomas Urbanik II, Ph.D., P. E. Research Engineer Texas Transportation Institute Research Report 1467-5 Research Study Number 0-1467 Research Study Title: Urban Highway Operations Research and Implementation Sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation In Cooperation With U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration September 1996 TEXAS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE The Texas A&M University System College Station, Texas 77843-3135 IMPLEMENTATION STATEMENT This study reveals that many different guide signing treatments are used around Texas and the nation to communicate multilane freeway exits. Consistent, uniform guide signing applications should be maintained. Uniform signing treatments can help reinforce driver expectancy, helping to guide the unfamiliar driver. This study indicates that drivers have a good understanding of black on yellow EXIT ONLY panels used to communicate a lane drop. However, motorists sometimes misinterpret the white arrow often used with EXIT ONLY panels to communicate an optional lane. The initial research evaluations found that the phrase "MAY EXIT" exhibited potential for improving driver understanding of the optional lane at multilane freeway exits. Further analysis revealed that the potential improvement that can be realized from this alternative is minimal over the current method. The research findings indicate that current signing practices for optional lanes at multilane freeway exits should continue. v DISCLAIMER The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not reflect the official views or policies of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) or the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or a regulation; nor is it intended for construction, bidding, or permit purposes. This report was prepared by Richard A. Somers, H. Gene Hawkins, Jr., P.E. #61509, and Thomas Urbanik II, P.E. #42384. Vll ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors would like to thank several individuals who assisted with this study. The TTl Houston Office Staff is recognized for helping in administration of the Houston Auto Show survey. In addition, special thanks are extended to those traffic engineers responding to the questionnaire sent to each state Department of Transportation. Ken Fogle, Ivan Lorenz, Pat Beck, and Danny Morris are also recognized for their contributions to the study. The TxDOT 1467 technical advisory panel chair, Gary Trietsch, i~ recognized for his time in providing direction and comments for this research. Lewis Rhodes and Mark Thorp, also of TxDOT, are recognized for their assistance in preparing the driver survey. Funding for the research was provided by the TxDOT and the FHWA. Vlll TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF FIGURES .................................................. " Xlll LIST OF TABLES .................................................... xv SUMMARY ......................................................... XVll 1.0 INTRODUCTION ........... " .............. " " . " ... .. ........ 1 1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT.............. ................. .... 1 1.2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES. .. .. ..... .. .... ... .. .. 2 1.3 SCOPE.... ....... .. .... .. .. .. .. ... .. ... 2 1A ORGANIZATION. 3 2.0 TECHNICAL BACKGROUND. 5 2.1 FREEWAY GUIDE SIGNING PRACTICES IN THE NATIONAL MUTCD ...................................... 5 2.1.1 Guide Sign Purposes . 5 2.1.2 Guide Sign Design Principles. 6 2.1.3 Current Guide Signing Practices in the MUTCD . 7 2.1.3.1 Categories of Guide Signs ........... \ . 8 2.1.3.2 Sign Mounting. .. 9 2.1.3.3 Arrows ..................................... 12 2.1.3 A Signing for Lane Drops . 13 2.1.3.5 Signing for Optional Lanes and Multilane Exits ............................... 13 2.2 SIGNING METHODS USED IN TEXAS ....................... 14 2.2.1 Texas MUTCD Signing Method ......................... 14 2.2.2 Texas Highway Operations Manual Method ................ 14 2.2.3 Inventory of Practices Used in Selected Texas Cities . 17 2.2.3.1 Multiple Lane Drops ........................... 17 2.2.3.2 Multilane Exit Ramps with Optional Lanes .......... 22 2.3 SIGNING TREATMENTS EMPLOYED AROUND THE NATION................. ... .... ..... .............. .... 29 2.3.1 Signing Methods Used in Other States .................... 29 2.3.1.1 California Method . 29 2.3.1.2 Minnesota Method ............................ 31 2.3.1.3 Ohio Method. 31 2.3.1A Mississippi Method .. 31 2.3.1.5 OtherMethods ............................... 31 IX TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page 2.4 OTHER PREVIOUS STUDIES .................................... 38 2.4.1 Modified Diagrammatic Signing ........................ 38 2.4.2 Diagrammatic Guide Signs ............................ 40 2.5 SUMMAR.Y ............................................. 41 3.0 DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF INITIAL GUIDE SIGN ALTERNATIVES .............................................. 43 3.1 DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE GUIDE SIGNS ........... 43 3.1.1 MAY EXIT and EXIT OK ............................ 43 3.1.2 Divergent Arrow .................................... 45 3.2 DEVELOPMENT OF SURVEy ............................. 46 3.3 ANALYSIS OF SURVEY DATA ............................ 48 3.3.1 Statistical Testing of Data ............................. 50 3.3.2 Analysis of Multiple Choice Questions ................... 51 3.3.2.1 Questions 1-3 ............................... 51 3.3.2.2 Questions 4-6 ............................... 53 3.3.2.3 Questions 7-9 ............................... 55 3.3.2.4 Question 10 ................................. 57 3.3.2.5 Questions 11-13 ............................. 58 3.3.3 Analysis of Open-Ended Questions ...................... 60 3.4 INITIAL SURVEY CONCLUSIONS ......................... 64 3.4.1 Survey Results ..................................... 64 3.4.2 Suggestions for Further Research Raised by the Initial Survey . 65 4.0 DETAILED STUDY DESIGN ...................................