Recommended Citation
Sakhare, R. S., Desai, J., Mathew, J. K., Kim, W., Mahlberg, J., Li, H., & Bullock, D. M. (2021). Evaluating the impact of vehicle digital communication alerts on vehicles (Joint Transportation Research Program Publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2021/19). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284317324
DOI
10.5703/1288284317324
Abstract
Traditional methods for communicating the presence of maintenance activities and work zones have been done with a variety of fixed signs. The increase of in-vehicle connectivity on our roads—either directly integrated into the vehicle or via an application running on a mobile phone–provides an opportunity for additional communication to motorists about the presence of emergency vehicles, maintenance activities, or work zones. Although the exact form of the in-vehicle communication is evolving and will continue to do so, a critical first step is to leverage the extensive telematics currently deployed on the Indiana Department of Transportation Vehicles. The objective of this study was to conduct trial deployments on a variety of INDOT vehicles, and to begin a dialog with private sector partners about what information INDOT can share that will provide a safer roadway for all motorists, INDOT workers, and INDOT partners.
The final design of connected vehicles will likely change considerably over the next few years as market forces determine what type of information is directly integrated into the vehicle and what information is integrated via cell phones. This report identifies several examples where in-vehicle notification alerting drivers to the presence of service and contractor vehicles was acknowledged by drivers. Hard braking data is being used to determine if these alerts have a meaningful impact on safety. Early results indicate substantial reduction in hard braking events (from 29 to 3) between conditions when queue trucks are not used and when they are used. A larger data set is currently being collected with Hoosier Helpers to isolate the impact of the in-vehicle alerts.
Report Number
FHWA/IN/JTRP-2021/19
Keywords
digital communication, motorists safety, vehicle alerts, hard braking, public safety vehicles, navigation applications
SPR Number
4524
Performing Organization
Joint Transportation Research Program
Sponsoring Organization
Indiana Department of Transportation
Publisher Place
West Lafayette, IN
Date of this Version
2021