Objective: To investigate the available evidence referring to the effectiveness of digital countdown timers (DCTs) in improving the safety and operational efficiency of signalized intersection.
Methods: A systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement guidelines. Relevant literature was searched from electronic databases using key terms. Based on study selection and methodological quality assessment, 14 studies were included in the review. Findings of the studies were synthesized in a narrative analysis.
Results: Three types of DCT had different effects on intersection safety and operational efficiency. Green signal countdown timers (GSCTs) reduced red light violations, type I dilemma zone distributions, and rear-end collision likelihood but increased crossing after yellow onset and had mixed impacts on type II dilemma zone distributions and intersection capacity. In contrast, red signal countdown timers (RSCTs) increased intersection capacity, although their effectiveness in reducing red light violations dissipated over time. Likewise, continuous countdown timers (CCTs) significantly enhanced intersection capacity but had mixed influences on red light violations and crossing after yellow onset.
Conclusions: Due to the limited and inconsistent evidence regarding DCTs' effects on intersection safety and efficiency, it is not sufficient to recommend any type of DCT to be installed at signalized intersections to improve safety and operational efficiency. Nevertheless, it is apparent that both RSCTs and CCTs enhance intersection capacity, though their impacts on intersection safety are unclear. Future studies need to further verify those anticipated safe and operational benefits of DCTs with enriched field observation data. 相似文献
At present,continuous observation data for atmospheric nitrous oxide(N_2O) concentrations are still lacking,especially in east Antarctica.In this paper,nitrous oxide background concentrations were measured at Zhongshan Station(69°22′25″S,76°22′14″E),east Antarctica during the period of 2008–2012,and their interannual and seasonal characteristics were analyzed and discussed.The mean N_2O concentration was 321.9 n L/L with the range of 320.5–324.8 n L/L during the five years,and it has been increasing at a rate of 0.29% year-1.Atmospheric N_2O concentrations showed a strong seasonal fluctuation during these five years.The concentrations appeared to follow a downtrend from spring to autumn,and then increased in winter.Generally the highest concentrations occurred in spring.This trend was very similar to that observed at other global observation sites.The overall N_2O concentration at the selected global sites showed an increasing annual trend,and the mean N_2O concentration in the Northern Hemisphere was slightly higher than that in the Southern Hemisphere.Our result could be representative of atmospheric N_2O background levels at the global scale.This study provided valuable data for atmospheric N_2O concentrations in east Antarctica,which is important to study on the relationships between N2 O emissions and climate change. 相似文献