Idaho Public Driver Education Urban Freeway Driving Urban

Idaho Public Driver Education Urban & Freeway Driving

Urban Driving Characteristics Urban and suburban driving includes residential areas with typically less traffic, business areas where traffic can be congested and inconsistent, and higher speed areas designed to move traffic through an urban area.

Congested Areas 0 Every city has it’s own busy areas where traffic is usually heaviest. 0 Name three places in your town that are the most congested.

City Traffic 0 There are more hazards mile for mile in city driving than in residential area driving. 0 At times the hectic pace of city traffic and things to pay attention to can almost become overwhelming. Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

City Hazards 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Pedestrians, bicyclists, road signs, billboards, traffic signals, advertisements and road markings Many intersections controlled by traffic signs and signals Streets wider than residential streets City blocks divided by alleys, creating even more intersections Many stores and businesses Faster traffic Traffic that starts and stops frequently Gridlocked traffic due to “rush hour” congestion Stop and go traffic lasting for many blocks or miles Crashes and/or special events like parades or concerts creating a need for alternate routes Rows of parked vehicles, delivery trucks and blind alleys creating LOS/POT restrictions to roadways and pedestrians Parking difficult to locate Drivers competing for lane openings or parking spaces Work zones creating congested conditions and impatient drivers Detours due to street maintenance or emergencies Pot holes caused by heavy traffic Double parked delivery trucks Busses, trains, and trolleys

In this traffic scene, how many business district hazards can you identify?

How many business district hazards can you identify here?

Urban and Suburban Residential Areas 0 Residential areas typically have lower traffic volume and slower speed limits 0 Speed limits on residential streets are usually 25 mph or less 0 Most crashes occur close to home; perhaps because drivers are more comfortable and less inattentative to familiar Is this residential area roads and conditions similar to where you live?

Urban and Suburban Residential Area Hazards On this residential street, how many hazards do you identify?

In this traffic scene, how many residential hazards can you identify?

In this residential traffic scene, how can you improve your line-of-sight?

Should the child on the scooter create a concern for drivers? Why?

Risky Behaviors in Urban and Suburban Residential Areas 0 Speeding 0 Failing to search for pedestrians and bicyclists entering or on the street 0 Failing to look for line-of-sight restrictions that hide traffic signs 0 Ignoring speed bumps 0 Failing to yield the right of way on narrow streets 0 Running stop signs 0 Failing to look for traffic and pedestrians when exiting a driveway 0 Failing to wear a seat belt Describe risky driver behaviors to avoid.

Two Lane Streets 0 On streets with two lanes going in the same direction, the right lane might not be the best travel lane because vehicles may suddenly slow to turn into a business or parking lot. 0 Sudden starts and stops may occur if there are no turn lanes or center share lane to help traffic make left turns 0 On-coming traffic may drift across the center line into the other lane You are the driver approaching this scene. What lane position would you choose? Why?

Two Lane Streets The speed limit on this roadway is 55 mph. The drivers are all driving at the maximum speed limit. In this traffic scene, identify any hazards or areas of concern.

Two Lane Streets Describe all the signs, signals, and markings in this street scene. Is this street flat or inclined?

Multiple-Lane Streets On streets with two or more lanes and a center shared turn lane, choose the lane with the smoothest flow. Which lane would you choose to travel in. Why?

Good Habits Managing Time and Space in Urban Environments Use an orderly visual search pattern.

Where Should Drivers Search? Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

Where Should Drivers Search?

Control Space to the Front You are traveling at 35 mph, what actions would you take to control your space?

Communicate to Others What communication clues are seen in these traffic scenes?

Make Reduced-Risk Decisions 0 Stay within the posted speed limit and choosing to reduce speed to reduce risk 0 Know your Perception time (the amount of time it takes to see a hazard) and Reaction time (the time it takes to act after seeing the hazard) 0 Know how to access local traffic information to plan alternative routes 0 Plan routes that avoid rush hour and work zone congestion 0 Avoid frequent lane changes — it greatly increases the chance of a collision 0 Make smooth, controlled steering

Make Reduced Risk Decisions You are traveling at 30 mph. Search your target area. Describe the reduced-risk actions you would take.

Characteristics of a Freeway Exit Ramp Access Ramp Deceleration Lane Acceleration Lane Merging • • • Controlled access (entry and exit) High speed (up to 75 mph) Divided by some barrier • Multiple lanes • Only for motorized vehicles

Cloverleaf Interchange To make a left turn, drive over or under the freeway onto which you wish to turn left, and exit to the right.

Diamond Interchange

Trumpet Interchange

Entrance Ramps Entrance Merging Acceleration Lane

1. Entering the On-Ramp Check the Access Ramp Search for Gap/Open Space On-Ramp Merging GAP ?

2. Acceleration Zone Use lane change indicator (left) Accelerate to match the speed of traffic Recheck for gap on freeway GAP

3. Entering Merge Area Begin Acceleration Check Rear Zones and Left Rear Zones

What it looks like from behind Mirror Checks/Blind Zone Checks if needed Checking Look to the Target Area Ahead

Exiting the Freeway Exit Ramp Check to Rear and Right Rear. Use right blinker for at least 5 sec. Deceleration Lane

Lane Position at Exit Ramp Deceleration Lane Maintain speed until you are OFF the freeway!

Deceleration on Exit Ramp Deceleration Lane Enter Exit Area Cancel blinker Release Accelerator

Adjusting Exit Speed Exit Ramp Reduce speed to posted exit speed. Check new path of travel. Deceleration Lane

Be Aware of Highway Hypnosis This is a dull or drowsy condition that can occur because of the concentration needed while driving long distances. It becomes worse when the driver’s eyes focus on the yellow line. Plan breaks and rest stops to combat highway hypnosis or pull to a safe area for rest and sleep when tired.