AOT RRFB Project Wins National High Value Research

Project Recognition!

The VTrans project Effectiveness of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at Mid-Block Crosswalks, recently completed by UVM investigators Dr. Dana Rowangould, James Sullivan, and Parsa Pezeshkhejad, has been recognized as a 2024 High Value Research (HVR) project by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Research Advisory Committee (AASHTO RAC). Only 16 HVR projects are selected each year.

The goal of this project was to understand RRFBs' effectiveness at improving safety by increasing drivers' awareness of pedestrians in mid-block crossings in rural contexts. Results showed that the installation of RRFBs in small and rural locations where pedestrian risks are higher led to improvement in compliance and risky behaviors. The project's results can be used to inform state and local RRFB siting guidelines to ensure RRFBs are placed in locations where they are effective, as well as offer insights useful for state and local agencies for rural communities across the U.S. To learn more about this project, visit the project page.

AOT Explores Enhanced Asphalt Performance With

Balanced Mix Design

Featured Projects This Quarter

Speed Countermeasures Toolbox

(AOT Champion: Joshua Taylor, Traffic Engineer)

With over half of all fatal crashes occurring on local and collector roadways in 2018 being classified as speeding-related, the Traffic Safety Toolbox is a much-needed resource our Districts and Towns can access for the most effective ways to reduce speeding and prevent future speeding-related fatalities on our roadways.

Final Report and Toolbox Now Available! See Project Page

See 2022 Symposium Page

Object Tracking and Geo-localization from Street Images

(AOT Champions: Rick Scott, Alex Geller (Asset Management))

An automated system that detects, classifies, and geo-localizes traffic signs using roadside images, working alongside a widget that allows the user to interact with visualized output signs, to enable more efficient inventory assessments and maintenance plans.

See 2022 Symposium Page for More Info

See 2021 Symposium Page

Testing UV-C Lighting Technology to Improve Rural Transit Systems

(AOT Champions: Daniel Currier & Ross MacDonald, Public Transit)

This project focuses on finding a potential solution to cost-effectively and efficiently sanitize Vermont public transit vehicles to combat the spread of viruses using UV-C lighting technology.

See 2022 Symposium Page for More Info

Balanced Mix Design

(AOT Champions: Aaron Schwartz & Ian Anderson, Materials)

With an increased need to develop performance-related specifications for asphalt mixtures, could Balanced Mix Design testing optimize asphalt mixtures such that rutting, cracking, and moisture susceptibilities are minimized?

See 2022 Symposium Page for More Info

See Related Project Page