Conceptual Design of a Connected Vehicle Wrong-Way Driving Detection and Management System

This report describes the tasks completed to develop a concept of operations, functional requirements, and high-level system design for a Connected Vehicle (CV) Wrong-Way Driving (WWD) Detection and Management System. This system was designed to detect wrong-way vehicles, notify the traffic management entities and law enforcement personnel, and alert affected travelers. To accomplish the project goals, the research team reviewed the state of the practice regarding intelligent transportation systems and CV technologies being applied as WWD countermeasures and the WWD crash trends in Texas from 2010 to 2014. The research team also identified the user needs associated with the implementation of a CV WWD system and preliminary ways to connect with law enforcement. The research team conducted one-on-one surveys to assess motorist understanding of wrong-way driver warning messages that were designed to be displayed on dynamic message signs. The research team also investigated the use of roadside alert (RSA) messages to provide warning to CVs about approaching wrong-way drivers. The research team recommended the development of a proof-of-concept test bed at an off-roadway location before implementing a model field deployment of the system on an actual roadway in Texas. The purpose of the test bed is to provide an offline location for the research team to test and fine-tune the system components and operations prior to installing them on the open roadway. A need also exists to conduct additional human factors studies to determine motorist needs, comprehension, and interpretations of RSA data elements in a WWD context. It is also important to understand how motorists will respond to the information contained in potential RSAs. The lessons learned from the deployment in the test bed environment would be used by the research team to determine the design considerations for a model field deployment of the system.