Wrong-Way Driver Systems

Wrong Way Detection System

What causes wrong-way driving?

Problematic roadway design

The primary origin of wrong-way events is highway exit ramps where the direction of travel is not clear.

Poor signage and markings

Signs and pavement markers alone aren’t enough to capture the attention of wrong-way drivers.

Driver impairment

50-75% of wrong-way events involve drugs or alcohol. Distracted driving and cognitive issues are other contributing factors.

Poor lighting

78% of fatal collisions occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. when visibility is low.

 

Wrong-way driving research: from risk analysis to prevention tools

Check out our Wrong-Way Driving Research Guide to better understand the wrong-way driving problem and potential mitigation strategies. It contains links to studies, briefs, and articles that cover topics such as:

  • Risk factors such as driver age, impairment, and gender. Drivers impaired by alcohol and older drivers are over-represented in wrong-way crashes.
  • The time and day of the week play a significant role in wrong-way collisions. A disproportionate number of these incidents occur on the weekends and during the dark hours of the day, typically between midnight and 6 a.m.
  • Types of interchange—The primary origin of wrong-way driving on freeways is when drivers enter the freeway at an interchange exit ramp rather than correctly entering at an entrance ramp.
  • Statistics on incidents and fatalities – including a state-by-state breakdown
  • WWD prevention – including roadway design, signs, lighting, driver education and enforcement
  • Vehicle Detection Systems for prevention
wrong-way driving fatalities versus all roadway fatalities

Wrong-way crashes remain a significant safety concern

According to data from the National Transportation Safety Boardwrong-way crashes claim an average of 359 lives each year in the U.S. And while overall vehicle crash deaths have declined in the past decade, wrong-way crashes have maintained their deadly toll. Some states have even seen an uptick in wrong-way crashes.

graph showing consistent fatalities from wrong way driving

Are current solutions working?

Statistics indicate that most current treatments are not significantly effective. As states have observed an increase in wrong-way crashes, many have increased their investment in combination of countermeasures. These measures include WRONG WAY and DO NOT ENTER signs, pavement markings, overhead lighting, and enhanced retroreflectivity. 

Despite these efforts, WWD crashes and fatalities are not decreasing, even as overall traffic fatalities have dropped significantly.

carmanah nevada wrong-way driver system LED enhanced sign

Experimental countermeasures

Some states have deployed new  countermeasures that use a variety of technologies and off-the-shelf components with varying success.

  • Arkansas’ $3.1 million sign and pavement marking upgrades had no effect on the number of crashes
  • Texas’ 22-month study of LED-enhanced signs found a 38% reduction in WWD events
  • Nevada’s 46 LED light bar systems (which were approved under a request for experiment) were “80% effective in stopping wrong-way drivers,” according to preliminary results
carmanah wrong way driver system in nevada case study project

Vehicle detection and alert systems are up to 80% effective in stopping wrong-way drivers

In Nevada, 75 people died in wrong-way driving crashes between 2005 and 2015. Dissatisfied with the performance of plain signage and pavement markings, NDOT doubled down on its countermeasure efforts, piloting 46 experimental detection and alert systems that feature the same high-intensity light bars used in Carmanah’s RRFB crosswalk systems. Research is ongoing, but preliminary results showed they were up to 80% effective preventing wrong-way collisions.

wrong way driving layers of safety graphic

Detection and Alert Technologies

In higher-risk locations, relying on wrong-way drivers to self-correct or on other drivers to report them is dangerous and time-consuming. Adding layers of safety measures with wrong-way detection and alert systems significantly reduces the risk of fatal crashes.

Vehicle detection systems are up to 80% effective*

Wrong-Way Vehicle Detection, Warning, and Alert Systems provide instant detection and rapid response:

  • Radar Detection: Radar units detect wrong-way vehicles and trigger high-intensity LED warning signs.
  • Camera Analytics: High-definition cameras perform analytics to confirm the wrong-way vehicle.
  • Immediate Alerts: Alerts are instantly sent to traffic management centers and law enforcement to intercept wrong-way drivers.
  • Rapid Deployment: First responders are quickly deployed to address the situation.

*Nevada DOT, Wrong Way Driver System, preliminary research press release

Wrong-way driving countermeasures

Carmanah’s intelligent wrong-way driving alert and detection systems offer customizable, proactive solutions to encourage driver self-correction. Build your solution using WWD-MX-connected signs, beacons, and optional radar, or opt for advanced vehicle detection, warning and alert system for high-risk areas.

WWD-MX

Connected wrong-way driver detection and warning signs.

WW400

Advanced wrong-way vehicle detection, warning and alert system for highway off-ramps with high crash rates.

carmanah ww400 wrong way driver detection, warning and alerting system with led sign

WWD-MX

Connected wrong-way driver detection and warning signs.

WW400

Advanced wrong-way vehicle detection, warning and alert system for highway off-ramps with high crash rates.

carmanah ww400 wrong way driver detection, warning and alerting system with led sign

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