SWUTC Research Project Description
Title of Project: Creating a Systems Engineering Approach for the MUTCD
Project Number: 476660-00009
Principal Investigator:
Gene Hawkins
(979) 845-9946
P.I. Affiliation: Texas A&M University
ghawkins@civil.tamu.edu
Project Monitor:
Thomas Hicks
Director, Office of Traffic & Safety
Maryland State Highway Administration
7491 Connelley Drive
Hanover, MD
410-787-5815 Fax: 410-787-4082
THicks@sha.state.md.us
Project Status: Active
Date Started: 9/1/08
Estimation Completion Date: 8/31/09
Estimated Cost - Current Fiscal: $65,475
Estimated Cost - Total Planned: $65,475
Project Summary:
Project Abstract:
The current system of traffic control devices is a collection of devices that are generally installed and evaluated as individual devices. The guiding national document for them is the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The MUTCD gives details for the selection, design, installation, operation, and maintenance of signs, signals, and markings on an individual basis. But there are no guidelines on how to consider devices and decision factors as part of a complete system. Accordingly, practitioners make traffic control device decisions using a primarily judgmental basis. This research effort will develop a framework for a systems engineering approach for traffic control devices and evolve the framework into a functional process that links many considerations to the various factors associated with traffic control device decisions.
Project Objectives:
This project has the following objectives:
Task Descriptions:
Task 1: Prepare initial list of factors affecting traffic control device decisions
The researchers will create a working list of all factors that impact decisions regarding the selection, application, design, installation, operation, and maintenance of traffic control devices. As this list is developed, researchers will attempt to identify the relationships between the factors and to assess the extent to which factors can be quantified with data. Researchers will also develop a preliminary prioritization of the factors to help gain insight into the relative importance of various factors.
Task 2: Review systems engineering and decision theory principles
The researchers will review the literature on systems engineering and on decision theory to identify pertinent elements that can be applied to traffic control devices.
Task 3: Create draft conceptual framework
Based on the findings from Tasks 1 and 2, the researchers will develop a draft conceptual frame work for relating the various factors and issues associated with traffic control devices into a decision making tool that addresses individual devices as part of an overall system. As part of this process, the researchers will identify missing elements, the need for quantifiable data, and other aspects that should be addressed in the data collection phase of the project.
Task 4: Solicit input from practitioners on factors affecting traffic control device decisions
The researchers will contact practitioners in a variety of forums to obtain data and input that will be used to refine the conceptual framework into a workable tool. The researchers envision one or more surveys of practitioners plus direct contact with practitioners as appropriate.
Task 5: Revise conceptual framework to provide quantifiable relationships for decision making
Using the data obtained in the previous task, the researchers will refine the conceptual framework and develop quantifiable relationships and/or processes that can be used to guide in the selection, application, design, installation, operation, and maintenance of traffic control devices. As the relationships are refined, the researchers may initiate additional contact with practitioners to obtain more data to refine the model. The result of this task is expected to be a draft functional process for at least one part of the MUTCD.
Task 6: Vet functional process with selected practitioners
Once a draft functional process has been developed, the researchers will vet it with a selected sample of knowledgeable practitioners to obtain comments that will improve the research product. The refinements will be incorporated and the researchers will prepare a report that describes the final functional process for traffic control device decision making on a systems perspesctive.
Index Terms:
Traffic control devices, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Systems engineering, Traffic control, Decision making, Traffic signals, Highway operations, Traffic signs, Research projects