WMU’s research on safety of older drivers garners national recognition

A recently completed research project on the “Evaluation of Michigan’s Engineering Improvements for Older Drivers” has been selected as one of the top 16 transportation research projects in the nation for 2016.  The research was funded by the Michigan Department of Transportation and was completed in 2015. The two-year research project, led by Dr. Valerian Kwigizile, WMU assistant professor of civil and construction engineering, evaluated the safety benefits of five engineering countermeasures implemented in Michigan since 2004. The five countermeasures – primarily for increasing the safety of older adults (age 65 and above) included: the use of Clearview fonts on guide signs (freeway and non-freeway), installation of box span traffic signals, installation of pedestrian countdown signals, use of fluorescent yellow sheeting on warning signs, and use of arrow-per-lane on guide signs. The research team also included Dr. Jun-Seok Oh, professor of civil and construction engineering, and Dr. Ron Van Houten, professor of psychology.

Field surveys of Michigan road users were coupled with extensive crash data analysis for the periods before and after the installation of countermeasures, to quantify safety benefits. A benefit-cost analysis was performed for each countermeasure. It was determined that each of the countermeasures improves safety for not only older adults, but road users of all ages.

Every January, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials solicits states for recently completed research projects for submission as examples of “Transportation Excellence Through Research.” Each of the organization’s four regions then selects its top four research projects to form the “Sweet Sixteen” awards.  Kwigizile’s research project will be showcased this summer at the organization’s summer meeting in July in Providence, Rhode Island, and at a poster session at the next Transportation Research Board annual meeting in Washington, D.C., in January 2017.

The Mid America Region 3 in which Kwigizile competed includes 10 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.