Traffic Safety Digest  
Fall 2002
 
Project Characteristics
High Visible Enforcement

Response Training for First Responders

Program Areas
Police Traffic Services

Type of Jurisdiction
Urban, Metro St. Louis

Targeted Population
Aggressive Drivers on the Interstate System

Jurisdiction Size
26,000

Funding
Section 402: $50,000

Contact
Bill Whitfield
MO Div. of Hwy. Safety
PO Box 104808
Jefferson City, MO 65110
(800) 800-2358

Digest Listing


     

MISSOURI
Maryland Heights I-270 Traffic Accident Reduction


PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

A Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDot) study found that eighty percent of the motorists involved in crashes on I-270 in the St. Louis metropolitan area drove the same pattern each day. A section of I-270 between Highway D and I-70 has one of the highest average daily traffic counts (178,000) in the state. The accident rate for interstate highways in the St. Louis Metropolitan area is 165 per million miles traveled. MoDot has established the accident rate for northbound I-270 at 300 (per 100 million miles traveled) and that rate increases to nearly 900 (per 100 million miles traveled) for about one and one half miles that approaches the I-70 exit ramp.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The Maryland Heights Police Department sought to establish a Traffic Crash Reduction program that through the presence of very uniquely marked enforcement vehicles might change driving behaviors, whether or not the enforcement vehicle was actually seen. The objectives were to:      

  • Create the perception that motorists will have a greater probability of experiencing aggressive driving enforcement on northbound I-270 between Highway D and I-70; and

  • Reduce the accident rate on I-270 each year of the project with the rate of an average of 165 accidents per 100 million miles traveled.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

  • The Maryland Heights Police positioned a high profile vehicle that was uniquely marked like a NASCAR racecar and equipped with mobile video and radar interfaced with a dash mounted Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) computer, on the targeted highway. The vehicle remained in place 40 hours a week during the highest accident period. The officer utilized a radio link to the Metro Traffic News helicopter and provided traffic advisories.

  • The reaction from the media and public was very favorable. On numerous occasions the local television news reported on the enforcement efforts and rode with the officer.

  • The Maryland Heights Police Department established a partnership with MoDot and the Maryland Heights Fire Protection District. MoDot identified the northbound lanes of I-270 as an “Accident Reduction Zone,” incorporating distinct warning signs, lane restrictions, and sign restrictions. They also created accident investigation pull-off asphalt pads to help clear the highway quicker. MoDot incorporated the overhead changeable message boards and tilt rotating surveillance cameras into the accident reduction zone.

  • The fire district provided training for first responders so that accidents can quickly be cleared from the highway in order to help reduce the number of related crashes.

RESULTS

The accident rate for a section of northbound I-270 was determined to be 300 per 100 million miles traveled before the grant began. During the time when the I-270 Traffic Crash Reduction Grant car was present, the accident rate decreased to 270 (per 100 million miles traveled) which reflects a 10 percent reduction over previous years.

 

    

 
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