The Highway Transportation System

Moving People and Goods

from Place to Place Safely and Efficiently

What Makes Up the HTS?

• Roadways- Multilane highways- Country Roads- City Streets

• People- Drivers- Passengers- Cyclists- Pedestrians

• Vehicles- Tractor-trailers- Buses- Cars, Vans, SUV’s- Mopeds- Motorcycles

Federal and State Requirements

National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act

• Automakers are required to build certain safety features, such as safety belts and shatterproof windows, into their motor vehicles.

National Highway Safety Act• Guidelines: Vehicle registration, Driver

Licensing, Traffic Laws, Traffic Courts, Highway Construction and Maintenance.

• Each state sets its own statutes or laws, that concern highway safety.

Reading Highway Transportation System Signs

If the numbers on a highway sign are ODD, it means that the road goes North – South.

An EVEN numbered sign means that the road goes East – West.

Interstate numbers range from 4 to 99.

The greater the EVEN number, the farther North you are.

The greater the ODD number, the farther East you are.

For Example: Interstate 90?

Reducing Your Risk Within the HTS

• Keep your vehicle in top condition• Anticipate the actions of others• Take steps to protect yourself and

others• Drive only when you are in sound

physical and mental condition• Make a conscious effort to develop

your driving skills

The IPDE Process

IdentifyIdentify objects or conditions within 12 to 15seconds ahead that could interfere with yourplanned path of travel.

-Open Closed Zones-Traffic Controls-Roadway features and conditions-Other users-Specific Clues

The IPDE ProcessPredict

Identify objects or conditions within 12 to 15seconds ahead that could interfere with yourplanned path of travel. Imagine what might

happen.-Path (Where might the other driver go?)-Action (What action will other users take?)-Space (Will I have an open zone?)-Point of Conflict (Where might our paths

cross?)

The IPDE ProcessDecide

• Decide what action(s) to take at least 4 to 5 seconds ahead of time to control or reduce risk.

*Decision will be influenced by the speed of own vehicle as well as the speed of other vehicles*

-Change or maintain speed-Change directions-Communicate

The IPDE ProcessExecute

• Carry out your decision to avoid conflict is the execute step in the IPDE process.

*This step involves the physical skills used in driving.*

-Control Speed-Steer -Communicate-Combine Actions

The Smith System

Aim High and Look Ahead• Look way ahead of your vehicle (20 to 30

seconds ahead), not down at the road directly in front of you.

Keep Your Eyes Moving• Search the scene constantly for changes

that might require you to adjust your speed or position.

The Smith System

Get the Big Picture• Search the whole scene, not just part of it.

Make Sure Others See You• Communicate with drivers and pedestrians.

Leave Yourself a Way Out• Always leave yourself a path of escape (a

way to avoid a collision)

How Vision Affects Your Ability to Drive

o Visual Acuity – clear visiono Field of Vision

Central Vision – the narrow cone-shaped area directly in front of you

Peripheral Vision – angles to your right and left Vertical Field of Vision – up and down

o Depth Perception – gives a 3-dimensional perspective to objects (distance judgment)