Williams, Cameron Lee (2008-10). Field location & marking of no-passing zones due to vertical alignments using the global positioning system. Master's Thesis. Thesis uri icon

abstract

  • Passing on two-lane roadways is one of the most difficult movements a driver may perform and guidance on where passing maneuvers are prohibited is given by the location of no-passing zones. Currently the processes for identifying no-passing zone locations can be daunting and many practices require work crews to operate in the roadway creating potentially hazardous situations. Due to these challenges new alternatives need to be developed for the safe, accurate, and efficient location of nopassing zones on two-lane roadways. This thesis addresses the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates to evaluate sight distance along the vertical profile of roadways to provide an alternative for an automated no-passing zone location system. A system was developed that processes GPS coordinates and converts them into easting and northing values, smoothes inaccurate vertical elevation data, and evaluates roadway profiles for possible sight restrictions which indicate where no-passing zones should be located. The developed automated no-passing zone program shows potential in that it identifies the general location of no-passing zones as compared to existing roadway markings.; however, as concluded by the researcher, further evaluation and refinement is needed before the program can be used effectively in the field for the safe, accurate, and efficient location of no-passing zones.

publication date

  • May 2008