2002-08-12 Regular Meeting, Public Hearing and Workshop Meeting

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e e According to Department of Public Safety records for 1998, a total of39I vehicle crashes were noted to haye occurred within the approximate 8-mile length ofihe project. That averages out to about 7.5 crashes per week. Using accident information proyided by the Houston Police Department, during the 36-week period of the truck lane restriction, a total of 87 crashes have been reported; this translates to an ayerage of 2.9 crashes per week. Because of the various factors causing vehicle crashes on Houston freeways, it is difficult to draw any conclusions from crash data for a short period of time. Typically, a time period of I-year is necessary to draw any conclusions from analyses of crash data from the same sources. However, based upon the data available at this time, the total number of crashes on this section of freeway has been decreased by 68% since the lane restriction was implemented. Public Qoinion The public perception was measured by surveying opinions via an Internet based survey as well as by distribution of postcard type surveys in the field. The results of these are summarized below. Summarized Survey Results from Truck Driyers Survey Questions Yes - No L , freeway on a regular basis? 2'- restriction? 3. has increased because of this lane restriction? 4. ' safer without trucks in the inside lane? 5. ' advising you of the lane restriction is adequate? 6. your route because of the lane restriction? 30% - 70% 30% - 70% 30% - 70% 50% 67% - 33% 42% - 5S% 37% - 63% Summarized Survey Results from Automobile Drivers Survey Questions Yes - No 1. freeway on a regular basis? 2. restriction? 3. in your trips now that IS-wheelers are restricted? 4. has been reduced by this lane restriction? 5. safer without trucks in the inside lane? 7. restriction? 33% 59% - 41% SO% - 20% S5% -15% 19% 76% - 24% 90% - 10% 93% -7% Findin2S Handout Yes - No Internet Do you travel this section of Are you aware of this lane Do you feel that your trip time Do you feel that the freeway is Do you feel that the signing Have you considered changing 96% - 4% 91% - 9% 30% -70% 90% - 10% 93% -7% 500/0'- Handout Yes - No Internet Do you travel this section of Are you aware of this lane Do you use the inside lane more Do you feel that your trip time Do you feel that the freeway is Do you agree with this lane 92% - S% S5% - 15% 67% . 65% - 35% 90% - 10% SI%-