THE EFFECTS OF A RECTANGULAR RAPID‐FLASHING BEACON ON VEHICLE SPEED

Abstract

In 2008, nearly 31% of vehicle fatalities were related to failure to adhere to safe vehicle speeds ( National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], 2009 ). The current study evaluated the effect of a rectangular rapid‐flashing beacon (RRFB) triggered by excessive speed on vehicle speed using a combined alternating treatments and reversal design. The percentage of vehicles traveling above 41 mph (66 km per hour) decreased by 20%, and speed distributions showed a shift toward lower speeds during the RRFB condition.