Safety

CUTR's safety research is dedicated to ensuring the safe mobility for all users of the transportation system. The mission is to increase knowledge by conducting general and applied research that can be translated into practical interventions designed to reduce injuries and fatalities related to motor vehicles. Specialties include large vehicle safety, engineering and ITS technologies to improve highway safety, social and behavioral analysis, safety education, crash data and analysis, and bicycle and pedestrian safety.

CUTR has built a strong foundation in transportation safety and security research as the following projects illustrate. Copies of many final reports can be found by searching the USF Library for CUTR and NCTR Research Reports.

Current Safety and Security Research

Transit Bus Safety Resource Guide (2003) The Florida Department of Transportation, in collaboration with members from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) Multi-State Technical Assistance Program, is working with CUTR to promote a bus transit safety management practices guide and model program to aid states and transit systems in the development of a system safety program and related implementing procedures. The purpose of this project is to gather industry “best practices” for developing model state safety programs and necessary state legislation for the development of improved transit bus safety standards and practices.

Selecting Most Effective ITS Applications to Improve Pedestrian Safety (2003) The objective of this research is to provide safety practitioners, planners, and engineers with guidance on possible ITS applications for consideration when addressing patterns of pedestrian conflicts and/or crashes at a location or roadway section and under different scenarios including costs, ease of integration and implementation, and effectiveness.

Observational Motorcycle Helmet Use Survey and Examination of the Impacts of the Florida Motorcycle Helmet Law Amendments (2003) This research addresses issues associated with the July 2000 changes in Florida’s motorcycle helmet law including examining helmet use trends, crash and injury trends, sales and licensing trends, public health costs associated with injuries and deaths of non-helmeted riders, and enforcement issues related to mandatory insurance for non-helmeted riders over 21 years and helmet use among riders under 21 years.

Investigation of Bicycle and Pedestrian Crash Exposure in Florida (2002) This survey collected data on pedestrians and bicyclists exposure to fatal and near fatal collisions and compares the results to a 1998 survey to determine if exposure is increasing or decreasing and to what degree.

Security Considerations in Long-Range Transportation Planning (2002) This white paper explored the implications of enhanced security concerns on state departments of transportation long-range transportation planning activities and explores how security concerns may be integrated into long-range planning activities.

The Role of Transportation Management Centers in Homeland Security (2002) This white paper examined the communication protocols and information gathering and sharing techniques between emergency operations centers and transportation management centers necessary to maximize response capabilities during times of homeland security treats.

Florida Public Transit System Anti-terrorism Resource Guide (2001) This guide assists agencies with developing counter- and anti-terrorism programs and contains: information on federal and State of Florida anti-terrorism resources for public transit agencies; resource documents to assist transit agencies with developing or enhancing security plans and procedures; and training programs and seminars on transit security and anti-terrorism.

Cops, Cameras, and Enclosures: A Synthesis of the Effectiveness of Methods to Provide Enhanced Security for Bus Operators (2001) This synthesis study contains information on the effectiveness of different techniques such as cameras, police, bus operator enclosures, etc., that transit agencies can use to improve security for bus operators and passengers. The project also identifies other techniques transit systems are using to increase the chances of their bus operators avoiding dangerous situations, such as passenger relations training to avoid conflict.

Analysis of Florida Transit Bus Accidents (2001) This study reviewed bus transit accidents at Florida public transit systems and analyzed accident data and the effectiveness of training programs and capital safety improvements on reducing bus accidents.

Methodology to Quantify the Effects of Access Management on Roadway Operations and Safety (2001) This research quantified the effects of access management treatments on roadway operations and safety and provides tools to evaluate access management treatments. The objectives of the research were to quantify the effects of access management treatments on roadway operations and safety, and provide tools to evaluate access management treatments.

Florida Motorcycle Safety Strategic Plan (2001) This research developed a comprehensive state motorcycle safety strategic plan that addresses the issues of rider training, impaired riding, helmet and protective gear use, unlicensed riders, and motorist awareness.

Pasco County Occupant Protection Program (2001) CUTR provided oversight and assistance to the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc., during the implementation of an occupant program in Pasco County, Florida.

USF Senior Driver Traffic Safety Intervention Program (2001) CUTR provided oversight, assistance, and program evaluation services to the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc., in its continuation of the “Getting in Gear” Senior Driver Intervention Program.

Florida Fatal Crash Study (2001) This study involved a causal analysis of fatal crashes in Florida and supported a larger pooled-study to investigate crash data, determine causative factors, and make recommendations for reducing fatal crashes in the southeastern U.S.

Motorcycle Alcohol Crash Study (2000) This research involved a comprehensive analysis of all alcohol-related motorcycle crashes in Florida over a 5-year period and the identification of interventions to reduce the problem.

Florida Regional Crash Data Entry Centers (2000) CUTR provided technical assistance, organizational, and facilitation skills to three pilot counties participating in a statewide effort to implement Regional Crash Data Centers for crash data collection and reporting purposes.

Application and Evaluation of a Multidisciplinary Program to Increase Motorist Yielding to Pedestrians in a Florida City (2000) This research involved the application of engineering, education, and enforcement components to increase motorist yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Investigation of the Use of Mobile Phones While Driving (1999) This project examined the causes behind the growing concern over the use of mobile phones while driving. The study summarized data from North American studies on accident rates of drivers using mobile phones, the benefits and problems with banning the use of mobile phones while driving, current thinking in the U.S. regarding the passage of legislation on this issue, and the experiences of some countries that have banned the use of mobile phones while driving. The report also examines the future of in-vehicle communication systems and their potential benefits.

Investigation of Automated Photo Enforcement for Red Light Running (1998) This project examined the use of automated enforcement red light cameras in several cities in the U.S. and determined costs and benefits associated with the use of these cameras. CUTR also investigated the different application methodologies, the advantages, issues, and disadvantages of the use of this technology, and the enabling legislation from other states.

Enhancing Safety in Florida Transit Systems (1998) This report summarizes a case study review of accident data at the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) in Pinellas County, Florida and includes the methodology used in performing the analysis, and recommendations for data collection and analyses for tracking bus accidents by other Florida transit properties.

Florida Bicycle-Related Brain Injury Prevention Program: Year One Evaluation Component (1998) This research involved collecting and analyzing pre- and post-observational data on bicycle helmet use among school-aged children for a performance-based evaluation of the Florida Bicycle-Related Brain Injury Prevention Program.

Florida Observational Motorcycle Helmet Use Survey (1998) This research included a statewide observational motorcycle helmet use survey to determine level of non-compliant helmet usage on Florida roadways.

Evaluation of Transportation Safety Needs of Special Populations (1998) This research explored transportation safety needs of special populations in Florida including older drivers, young drivers, school-aged children, and new immigrants.

Security Issues Surrounding Transit Transfer Centers in or Near Residential Settings (1998) CUTR reviewed the best practices and lessons learned in the successful placements of bus transfer centers in suburban settings when security issues are considered.

Evaluation of Motorist Warning Systems for Fog-Related Incidents in the Tampa Bay Area (1997) This study evaluated motorist-warning systems for fog-related incidents in the Tampa bay area.