Session 6 - Information Processing: Moderate Risk Environment

moderate risk environment

consists of roadways with speed limits under 50 mph and controlled intersections (traffic flow controlled by stop sign or traffic light) in urban, suburban, and rural settings.

Vehicle handling

the description of the way a wheeled vehicle responds and reacts to the inputs of a driver, as well as how it moves along the road.

Search

You need to constantly ____ your line of sight and your path of travel. You must be aware of the areas surrounding your vehicle and know which zones are occupied by other vehicles or objects in the adjacent lanes.

Evaluate

____ the areas surrounding your vehicle and in your line of sight to determine which ones are open, closed, or changing. You always need to plan for an alternate path of travel to prepare yourself for quick decisions that need to be made if a hazardous situation suddenly occurs in your current path of travel.

Execute

Once you are done evaluating which zones are open and closed, and which adjustments are needed, you will need to ______ your decision. Some of the adjustments include changing speeds or changing lane positions and then communicating to the other drivers on the road your intentions with turn signals, brake lights, etc.

visual search

a type of perceptual task that requires attention that typically involves an active scan of the visual environment for an object (the target) among other objects (the "distractors").

immediate range

2-5 seconds ahead of your vehicle

5-15 seconds ahead of your vehicle.

The next area to search when widening the search area

15-30 seconds ahead

The last and widest range to search

3 to 5 seconds

Use your rearview mirror and side view mirrors every;

50 percent (50%) of the time.

The area 2-5 seconds ahead of your vehicle will be searched approximately;

35 percent (35%) of the time.

The 5-15 seconds ahead of your vehicle area allows you time to search for your escape routes. You will have time to make decisions and plan. Should be searched;

15 percent (15%) of the time.

The last and widest range to search is 15-30 seconds ahead. This area allows enough time to search all the zones to determine which ones are open or closed. It gives you time to search for any hazards, such as disabled vehicles, construction, closed lanes, etc. and make a safe decision. Should be searched;

Scanning

helps you to see problems ahead, vehicles and people that may be in the road (by the time you reach them), signs warning of problems ahead, and signs giving you directions.

Constantly searching your surroundings

The best way for you as a driver to reduce driving risk and avoid potential hazardous situations is to be prepared by-

You must look ahead, to the sides, and behind the vehicle.

To be a good driver, you must know what is happening around your vehicle;

This is the immediate range. It is where your vehicle will be within 2-5 seconds, this area requires immediate action without any time for decision making. You will be instantly reacting to the hazardous situation.

This is the area you will be searching half of the time.

three-second rule

a rule of thumb by which a driver may maintain a safe following distance when traveling at speeds from 35 to 45 mph

four-second rule

a rule of thumb by which a driver may maintain a safe following distance when traveling at speeds from 46 to 70 mph

It is more a guide to a good reaction time.

The three to four seconds is not a guide to a safe stopping distance;

The next area to search when widening the search area is 5-15 seconds ahead of your vehicle.

Searching in this area allows you time to search for your escape routes.

5 to 15 seconds ahead

Most good drivers look at least-

Good drivers shift their attention back and forth, near and far.

Looking 5 to 15 seconds ahead does NOT mean NOT to pay attention to things that are closer (2 to 5 seconds).

This area allows enough time to search all the zones to determine which ones are open or closed. It gives you time to search for any hazards, such as disabled vehicles, construction, closed lanes, etc. and make a safe decision. By looking this far ahead you have more time to recognize the hazards and enough time to adjust speed, lane position or move to an adjacent lane to avoid a hazard in your path of travel.

The last and widest range to search is 15 to 30 seconds ahead;

2 to 5 seconds

Check your mirrors every-

take your foot off the accelerator.

If a vehicle merges in front of you too closely-

Roadway Characteristics:

1. The condition of the road

2. Lane width in your path of travel

3. The surface of the road - icy, wet from rain or snow, gravel, muddy, pot holes, etc.

4. Lane markings - color of markings, indicating one-way or two-lane traffic flow, solid or broken lines

5. Condition of the shoulder - soft, hard, enough space to use in an emergency, slopes

6. Hills or other areas with obstruction to line of sight and path of travel

7. Intersections, merge lanes, interchanges

8. Buildings and other structures next to the roadway

9. Curbs - type, height, location, and any markings on the curb

10. Weather conditions - rain, snow or fog producing glare on windshield, decreasing visibility

Traffic Controls

1. Regulatory signs - some examples are stop and yield signs, speed limit, yield for pedestrians, stay in lane

2. Warning signs - examples include signs showing turn, curve ahead (some with posted decreased speed limits), winding road

3. Guide and informational signs - work zones, destination and distance, expressway signs, recreational sites, and general information (state lines, airport, bus station)

4. Directional signs - route markers, route junction signs, direction signs (north, south, east or west), alternative route signs

Motor Vehicles

1. Cars, SUV's, pickup trucks

2. Recreational motor homes

3. Tractor trailer trucks

4. Buses

5. Motorcycles, mopeds

6. Construction vehicles

7. Farm equipment/vehicles (slow moving)

Other Roadway Users

1. Horse and buggy

2. Pedestrians

3. Bicyclists

4. Skateboards

5. Animals (domesticated and non-domesticated)

Use Headlights

Besides helping you to see at night, _____ help other people see you. If needed, flick your headlights to alert other road users you are there.

Use Your Horn

People cannot see you unless they are looking your way. Your horn can get their attention. Use it whenever it will help prevent an accident. If there is no immediate danger, a light tap on the horn should be all you need.

Give your horn a light tap:

• When a person on foot or on a bike appears to be moving into your lane of travel.

• When you are passing a driver who starts to turn into your lane.

• When a driver is not paying attention, or may have trouble seeing you.

• When coming to a place where you cannot see what is ahead - like a steep hill, a sharp curve, or exiting a narrow alley.

• When a child or older person is about to walk, run, or ride into the street.

• When another vehicle is in danger of hitting you.

• When you have lost control of your vehicle and are moving towards someone.

Drivers coming towards you may have trouble seeing your vehicle.

When driving away from a rising or setting sun, turn on your headlights;

Use Emergency Signals

If your vehicle breaks down on a highway, make sure that other drivers can see it. All too often crashes occur because a driver did not see a stalled vehicle until it was too late to stop.

If you are having vehicle trouble and must stop:

• Get your vehicle off the road and away from traffic if possible.

• Turn on your emergency flashers to show you are having trouble.

• Try to stop where other drivers have a clear view of your vehicle if you cannot get your vehicle off the roadway. (Do not stop just over a hill or just around a curve.)

• Try to warn other road users that your vehicle is there. Place emergency flares behind the vehicle. This allows other drivers to change lanes if necessary. If you do not have emergency flares or other warning devices, stand by the side of the road where you are safe from traffic and wave traffic around your vehicle. Never stand in the roadway.

• Lift the hood or tie a white cloth to the antenna, side mirror or door handle to signal an emergency.

Use Turn Signals

Signaling gives other drivers time to react to your moves. You should use your turn signals before you change lanes, turn right or left, merge into traffic, or park.

Get into the habit of signaling every time you change direction. Signal even when you do not see anyone else around.

If you don't, others might think you plan to turn again.

After you have made a turn or lane change, make sure your turn signal is off.

Use Your Brake Lights

Signal when you slow down. Your brake lights let people know that you are slowing down. Always slow down as early as it is safe to do so.

Tap your brake pedal three or four times quickly to let those behind you know you are about to slow down.

If you are going to stop or slow down at a place where another driver does not expect it;

Signal when you slow down:

• To turn off a roadway which does not have separate turn or exit lanes.

• To park or turn just before an intersection.

• To avoid something in the road or stopped or slowing traffic that a driver behind you cannot see.

To signal a left turn

hold the arm and hand straight out and point the first finger

To signal a right turn

hold the arm straight out and the forearm and hand straight up, palm facing forward

To signal stopping and slowing down

point the arm and hand down, palm facing back

Lane position

the placement of your car in the center, on the right, or on the left of a lane. Using the different lane positions helps the driver communicate to other drivers your intentions.

Lane Position One

This position is used most often. The vehicle is centered in the lane which allows for 3 feet of space on each side of the vehicle. This lets other drivers know you have no intentions of changing lanes.

Lane Position Two

The vehicle is 3-6 inches away from the left traffic lane line. This position creates a greater amount of space on the right side of the vehicle, approximately 5 feet of space. It is used when the driver is preparing to turn left, attempting to avoid a hazard on the right side of the lane or to allow for more space between your vehicle and a parked vehicle, bicyclist, pedestrians, etc.

Lane Position Three

This is just the opposite of lane position two. In this position, the vehicle is 3-6 inches away from the right traffic lane line. A greater amount of space is created, approximately 5 feet, on the left side of the vehicle. It is used when the driver is preparing to turn right or attempting to avoid a hazard on the left side of the lane.

If there are two lanes going in your same direction-

Pick the right lane for the smoothest driving. This allows you to be the farthest from vehicles traveling in the opposite direction.

Middle Lane

If there are three lanes on your side of the road pick the _____ ____ for the smoothest driving.

The shoulder

should not be considered an extra driving lane. Some highways have rumble strips on ______, and in some places on the center line, that alert drivers when they drift out of their lane.

Rear end crashes

the most common type of crash, may be avoided by maintaining a safe following distance.

Traffic, speed, along with light, weather and road conditions

will impact the space needed between vehicle or other potential hazards.

When you’re angry at someones high beams?

When should you NOT use your horn?

Visual processing

the sequence of steps that information takes as it flows from visual sensors to cognitive processing.

Perception time

The amount of time it takes for the driver to identify the incoming information and decide if it is a hazardous situation or not

Visual perception

the ability to interpret the surrounding environment using visibility in the environment.

Perception time can be decreased by-

actively searching your surroundings and categorizing the incoming information. Incoming information from your driving environment can be divided into four different groups, which are roadway traits, traffic controls, motor vehicles, and other roadway users.

Roadway Structures

• Roadway and lane widths

• Curbs - type, height, location, and any markings on the curb

• Hills or other areas with limited visibility

• The condition of the road

• Lane markings - color of markings, indicating one-way or two-lane traffic flow, solid or broken lines

Roadway Surface

• Icy or wet from rain or snow

• Gravel, muddy, rough, smooth

• Pot holes, etc.

Roadway Features

• Condition of the shoulder - soft, hard, enough space to use in an emergency, sloping

• Buildings, trees, bushes, and other structures next to the roadway - that may limit visibility

Weather Conditions

• Sun, rain, snow, or fog

• Conditions producing glare on windshield - decreasing visibility

• High winds

Intersections

• Merging lanes

• Interchanges

Traffic control devices

are markers, signs and signal devices used to inform, guide and control traffic, including pedestrians, motor vehicle drivers and bicyclists. These devices are usually placed adjacent, over or along the highways, roads, traffic facilities and other public areas that require traffic control. They inform you of the conditions and directions for the roadway ahead of you.

Regulatory signs

signs used to convey traffic rules and regulations such as intersection controls, weight limit, speed limit, one way, no parking, and others.

Warning signs

signs that are used to warn road users about a potential danger.

Guide signs

signs help road users navigate to their destination.

Directional signs

route markers, route junction signs, direction signs (north, south, east, or west), alternative route signs.

Traffic lights

three different lights that convey different meanings. The red light means that the vehicle facing the traffic light must come to a complete stop. A green light means that the vehicle facing the traffic light may proceed when it is safe to do so. A yellow light indicates that a red light will follow, and vehicle drivers must stop if it is safe to do so.

Flashing lights

Yellow flashing beacons are usually used to draw attention to other traffic control devices, such as a crosswalk sign. Red flashing beacons are used to supplement stop signs.

Lane usage lights

used to manage traffic on a multi-way road or highway. Typically, they allow or forbid traffic to use one or more of the available lanes by the use of green lights or arrows (to permit) or by red lights or crosses (to prohibit).

Passing

a dashed yellow or white line indicates that passing is allowed.

Traffic flow

1. Yellow lines separate traffic flowing in opposite directions - drivers should stay to the right of yellow lines.

2. A solid yellow line indicates that passing is prohibited.

3. White lines separate separate traffic flowing in the same direction.

4. A double white line indicates that lane changes are prohibited.

5. A solid white line indicates that lane changes are discouraged.

6. A dashed white line indicates that lane changes are allowed.

Symbols are used to indicate permitted lane usages.

1. A diamond indicates a lane reserved for use by high-occupancy vehicles.

2. A bicycle indicates a lane reserved for bicyclists.

3. Arrows show required or permitted movements at intersections.

4. A row of solid triangles indicates that the road user must yield.

Crosswalks

a place designated for pedestrians to cross a road. Crosswalks are designed to keep pedestrians together where motorists can see them, and where they can cross most safely across the flow of vehicular traffic.

Uncontrolled

These are typically found at T-intersections. The right-of-way rule states that the through-road has the right-of-way. So, if your road ends at the intersection, you must yield the right of way. However, if you encounter a 4-way uncontrolled intersection, yield right of way to the right.

Cloverleaf interchanges

when viewed from overhead, resemble the leaves of a four-leaf clover. The cloverleaf design allows for the interchange of two expressways by using entrance and exit ramps. One advantage is that they are free-flowing and do not require traffic signals which eliminates the need to stop traffic.

Diamond interchanges

are common where an expressway or major freeway crosses a secondary or minor road. At the intersection, one road is crossing the other road with a bridge. The expressway will have entrance and exit ramps for access to the minor road.

Trumpet interchanges

are used when one major highway ends at another major highway or multi-lane roadway. They have replaced the T-intersection of two roadways. They are most useful when traffic on the terminating highway is going in the same direction.

Frontage road interchanges

are one-way or two-way roadways that run parallel to an expressway or multi-lane roadway.

Entrance ramps

are the main way to gain access to expressways. They provide acceleration lanes that give the driver the opportunity to gain speed and merge onto the expressway. Exit ramps are the main way to leave the expressway. They have a deceleration lane which gives the driver the opportunity to decrease speed for the minor roadways.

The different types of vehicles are:

1. Cars, SUV's, and Pickup Trucks

2. Recreational Motor Homes, Buses, and Tractor Trailer Trucks - larger vehicles, if following behind them, you may have limited visibility. Crosswinds can affect their steering. Their speed may decrease when going up a hill. They make very wide turns. Longer distances are needed to stop these types of vehicles.

3. Motorcycles and Mopeds - they are hard to see on the roadway

4. Construction Vehicles - usually slow moving and obstructed visibility

5. Farm Equipment/Vehicles - also usually slow moving and obstructed visibility

Speed

affects a driver's ability to identify and react to a potential conflict.

Stopping distance

the total distance it takes for a driver to identify and react to a safety hazard in the vehicle path

Non-motorized users can be divided into:

1. Pedestrians

2. Animals

3. Bicyclists

4. Skateboarders

Lane position 1

vehicle is centered within the travel lane

Lane position 2

vehicle is 3 to 6 inches away from left line of travel lane

Lane position 3

vehicle is 3 to 6 inches away from right line of travel lane

Lane position 4

vehicle's wheels are straddling the left line of travel lane

Lane position 5

vehicle's wheels are straddling the right line of travel lane

twelve feet

Most roadways have a width of-

six feet

The average width of a vehicle is-

collision

Following too close or tailgating the vehicle in front of you can lead to a-

Braking distance

the distance a vehicle will travel from the point when its brakes are fully applied to when it comes to a complete stop. It is primarily affected by the original speed of the vehicle and the friction between the tires and the road surface.

Weather, visibility, and your mental and physical condition. Braking distance is also affected by how fast your vehicle is traveling, the condition of your brakes and tires, and the pavement condition. For example, wet pavement can double your braking distance.

Reaction time, reaction distance and braking distance are affected by

3/4 of a second

Average reaction time is about-

Three ways to control the space in front of your vehicle:

1. Timing your arrival at your stopping point (for example, at a red light) by adjusting your speed early by taking your foot off the accelerator and allowing the car to slow down on its own.

2. Where you place your vehicle when you stop.

   Leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front to allow you to move if needed or if you are hit from behind, you do not hit the vehicle in front of you.

   try forward placement at an intersection. This allows you to observe other vehicles and traffic at the intersection.

3. Control your speed while you are driving.

Adjust your speed to create a large enough space in the front of your vehicle for you to be able to stop safely if there is a hazard in your path of travel.

Increase or decrease your speed to be able to maintain an open line of sight.

Slippery Roads

Because you need more distance to stop your vehicle on slippery roads, you must leave more space in front of you. If the vehicle ahead suddenly stops, you will need the extra distance to stop safely.

The Driver Behind You Wants to Pass

Slow down to allow room in front of your vehicle. Slowing will also allow the pass to be completed sooner.

Following Motorcycles

If the motorcycle should fall, you need extra distance to avoid the rider. The chances of a fall are greatest on wet and icy roads, gravel roads, and metal surfaces such as bridges, gratings, and streetcar or railroad tracks.