More US police officers are killed in collisions at roadside stops than are killed through felonious acts. A number of causal factors affect police safety at roadside stops, including conspicuity of the officer, the conspicuity of the squad, weather conditions, and the attention and fatigue level of the oncoming traffic. Enhancing the safety and mobility of road- and transit-based transportation through a focus on human-centered technology." name="description"/> ITS Institute - RIIn-Situ Testing of State Patrol Vehicle Lighting, Retro-reflectors, and PaintTA/UTC Funded Research
U of MNUniversity of Minnesota
Center for Transportation Studies

Programs & Labs

In-Situ Testing of State Patrol Vehicle Lighting, Retro-reflectors, and Paint

Principal Investigator:

Project Summary

More US police officers are killed in collisions at roadside stops than are killed through felonious acts. A number of causal factors affect police safety at roadside stops, including conspicuity of the officer, the conspicuity of the squad, weather conditions, and the attention and fatigue level of the oncoming traffic.

    Many officers have opinions as to what constitutes
  • an optimal light bar arrangement (colors, vertical rows of lights, lighting patterns, brightness),
  • the optimal markings and retro-reflective treatments squad cars receive

Proposed is a research project designed to test lighting, retro-reflectors, and possibly paint (subject to State Patrol opinion) to determine whether particular combinations produce improved “move over” behavior of oncoming traffic. Tests will be performed at a fully instrumented rural intersection (US 52 and County Highway 9 in Goodhue County), and will rigorously quantify and document the effects of lighting, retro-reflective markings, and (possibly) paint colors have on oncoming traffic during roadside stops.

This proposed project will be a cooperative effort between the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the ITS Institute, Emergency Automotive Technologies, Inc, and police safety equipment manufacturers. The project will provide insight and guidelines which may ultimately improve officer safety at roadside stops.

Sponsor(s):

  • ITS Institute (RITA)