Stop-Controlled Intersection Safety:
Through Route Activated Warning Systems

February 2011

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Federal Highway Administration
Office of Safety
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590

FHWA-SA-11-15

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Stylized cover with a faded background image of a rural multi-lane highway with warning signs to the left and right of the roadway on the approach to an intersection. Three inset photos depict various signs warning of an intersection with crossing traffic ahead. Cover image credits: background image and top right photo appear courtesy of NCDOT; center and lower right photos appear courtesy of MoDOT.



Table of Contents

[ Technical Report Documentation Page ] [ Quality Assurance Statement and Foreword ]

1. Introduction
2. The Crash Problem
3. Traditional Low-Cost Infrastructure CountermeasuresPassive Sign and Marking Enhancements
Summary
4. Infrastructure-Based ITS Intersections
5. Key Attributes of an ITS Technology Ready for Implementation
State Input
Local County Engineer Input
ATSSA and AASHTO Input
IACP Input
Federal Agency Input
Conclusion
6. Summary of ITS Infrastructure-Based Concerns
7. State Experience with Through Route Activated Warning Systems
8. Warning Sign Message Information
Sign Legend
Sign Size and Shape
Number and Location of Beacons
Number of Signs per Approach (Single and Multi-lane Approaches)
9. Noteworthy Practices for the Site Selection, Design, and Operation of Successful Through Route Activated Warning Systems
Candidate Intersection Screening Selection
Design and Construction Processes
Design Provisions
Maintenance Provisions
10. Summary
11. Contacts
Appendix A – Example Through Route Activated Warning System Plan Sheet
Appendix B – ITS Infrastructure-Based Intersection Warning System Webinar Questions


List of Tables

Table 1. Distribution of 5-Year Intersection Crashes, Fatalities, and Fatality Rates for a Typical State with 100 or More Annual State Highway Intersection Fatalities
Table 2: Distribution of Crashes at Rural, Stop-Controlled Intersections in a Typical State with over 100 Annual Fatalities on the State Highway System
Table 3: Table 2C-4 from the 2009 MUTCD


List of Figures

Figure 1: Traditional Sign and Marking Enhancements for Stop-Controlled Intersections
Figure 2: Through Vehicle Activated Warning Sign System in North Carolina
Figure 3: Stop Approach Activated LED Red Flashers on Perimeter of Stop Sign
Figure 4: Actual Speed Feedback Sign
Figure 5: Missouri Through Approach Speed Sign
Figure 6: Minnesota's "Look for Traffic" Sign – Both Arrows Flash when Traffic is Approaching
Figure 7: Rectangular Warning Message Sign Dimensions
Figure 8: Proposed ITS Warning Sign Location-Single Lane Approach
Figure 9: Proposed ITS Warning Sign Location-Multi Lane Approach
Figure 10: North Carolina Typical Plan Sheet for Through Route Activated Warning System at Stop Controlled Intersection
Figure 11: North Carolina Typical Plan Sheet for Through Route Activated Warning System at Stop Controlled Intersection -Electrical Detail

Cover image credits: background image and top right photo appear courtesy of NCDOT; center and lower right photos appear courtesy of MoDOT.

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