Date of Award

1-1-2011

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Ron Van Houten

Second Advisor

Dr. John Austin

Third Advisor

Dr. Bradley Huitema

Fourth Advisor

Dr. William Rantz

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to explore the extent to which yellow rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) affected motorists' yielding, exit-lane encroachment and conflicts at fire station exits. This study explored the use of RRFBs attached to sign prompts that alerted motorists to the presence of exiting emergency vehicles. These signs were activated only during an exit event. It was hypothesized that motorists would increase their frequency of safe and legal yielding in the presence of the RRFB intervention when compared to the absence of contextually activated RRFB units. This study was conducted in a midwestern town in front of a fire station known to have poor yielding compliance in the presence of exiting emergency vehicles. The results suggest that the RRFB intervention was successful at increasing yielding compliance to exiting emergency vehicles during the daytime and nighttime hours. The data suggest that enhancing yield signs with RRFBs may be an effective intervention to increase motoristyielding compliance to exiting emergency vehicles.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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