Three-Way Stop Safety: An Observational Investigation 1

Line1 THREE-WAY STOP SAFETY: AN OBSERVATIONAL INVESTIGATION (3 Pts)

Line2 Kenneth Edward Scott (1 Pt)

Line3 Response to Request for Proposal (1 Pt)

Line4 AmU – RFP – JCURD12C#1 (1 Pt)

Line5 Submitted in Fulfillment of RS6539 Research and Evaluation (1 Pt)

Line6 “Research Proposal” (1 Pt)

Line7 Amridge University (1 Pt)

Line8 Submitted: 17 July 2525 (1 Pt)

Line9 (3 Pts)

* Graphical

Image Associated

with Your

Proposal

Source: Dreamstine (https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-image s/way-stop.html)

Line10 ABSTRACT: (7 Pts)

[Actual in Sample =179 Words: Proposal Requirement: >100 and <200]

As one safety measure among many in the cities across this nation, three-way, or all-stop

intersections, perform a very unique service to the safety of the citizens who live in these

neighborhoods and drive on the roadways and highways of our cities and states (omitting Inter-

state traffic). For example, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (2009, p.2),

“approximately 72 percent of fatal crashes occur at unsignalized intersections. Most often, the

cause of the crash can be attributed to a driver failing to yield the right of way.” One method,

therefore, to attempt to create safety at intersections is to install various types and methods of stop

signs. Consequently, this study proposes to investigate a three-way, all-stop intersection by

conducting observations over a 30-day time span at random hours of each day. The Principal

Investigator will use digital methods to record “stop methodologies” of vehicles studied. No driver

or passenger data will be utilized in this proposed study. The purpose in this investigation is to

capture actual data to analyze and report safety practices via measured observations in real-time.

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Three-Way Stop Safety: An Observational Investigation 2

Table of Contents [5 Points]

Cover Page ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..1

Table of Contents …………………………………………………………………………………………………….2

Proposal Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………….3

Figure 1: Distracted Driving Major Cause of Driving Fatalities ……………………………..4

Methods, Materials, and Manpower …………………………………………………………………………..5

Prior Literature ………………………………………………………………………………………………….5

Methods……………………………………………………………………………………………………………6

Table 1. Methods of the Research Proposal. …………………………………………………….6

Table 2. Proposed Collection Instrument via Observation Methodology. ……………7

Materials ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8

Table 3: Materials of the Research Proposal …………………………………………………..8

Manpower ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..9

Table 4: Manpower of the Research Proposal ………………………………………………..9

Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..10

Sources …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..11

Appendices ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..13

1. Investigating Driver Behavior at Minor-Street

Stop-Controlled Intersections in Qatar. …………………………………………………………….13

2. Increasing motorist compliance and caution at stop signs ……………………………………13

3. Supporting Graphic ………………………………………………………………………………………..14

Three-Way Stop Safety: An Observational Investigation 3

Proposal Introduction [10 Points]

Highway safety is a concern for all licensed drivers on the streets and highways of our

nation, from small towns to large metropolises. While the National Safety Council (2020) cited

38,800 traffic fatalities in 2019, they also suggested methods to reduce these tragedies. One of the

most profound and definitive recommendations was to drive attentively. For this proposal, driving

attentively pertains to how motorists give attention to stop signs, per se, a specific three-way, all-

stop intersection in Montgomery, Alabama. (The location will remain anonymous to protect the

identity of motorists). One of the focal purposes of stop signs is best identified by the Portland

Bureau of Transportation, PBOT (2020): “What is the purpose of a stop sign? The Portland Bureau

of Transportation oversees the placement and installation of stop signs to provide for the safe,

sustainable and efficient movement of people and goods. Safety is the primary factor of

consideration in stop sign placement” (p.1). Of specific intent in this proposal is to observe an

actual 3-Way, All-Stop intersection to measure and gage how drivers consider ‘safety as a primary

factor’ when they approach, establish a form of ‘stopping’, and measure these events over the 30-

day data capture process.

This proposal intends to conduct research as follows:

1. The PI will observe traffic flow for 30-days, at alternate times, and various intervals of

time to ensure that random data are collected to avoid the skewing of data in one

direction to influence findings via bias or violate sampling methods of research;

2. The data patterns will be: 1) full-stop; 2) rolling-stop; 3) no-stop; 4. Rolling-or-no-

stops, will be based on the perception of the PI as to the variance between them. For

example, full-stop is based on a complete stop in motion; rolling-stop is the near

cessation of motion, then forward progress; no-stop appears to be no attempt to stop;

3. The data collection process will conclude after 30-days, with the processing of the data

in various forms to inform the interested reviewers of the findings, issues, notable

traffic patterns, and whether type of vehicle was significant or otherwise;

4. These findings will be processed, written in a report, and submitted to the MPD as a

courtesy of a citizen providing first-hand traffic patterns at a specific intersection.

The cost of traffic accidents, inclusive of repair, injuries, death, medical services, and other

factors is staggering. For example, the National Safety Council (2020), stated that the three most

Three-Way Stop Safety: An Observational Investigation 4

dangerous causes of fatalities on the road are: 1) alcohol; 2) speeding, and 3) distracted driving. In

fact, Figure 1, indicates just how dangerous distracted driving can be.

Figure 1. Distracted Driving Major Cause of Driving Fatalities

Source: National Safety Council (2020): https://www.nsc.org/road-safety?safety-top%5bics=fatality-estimates.

When considering costs, Injury Facts (2020) noted that medical assistance injuries in

motor-vehicle accidents totaled 4.5 million in 2018, and injury costs were estimated to be an

alarming $445.6 billion in costs. Moreover, each crash that resulted in a death costs approximately

$1 million per death, whereas each crash injury had an economic expense of $78,000 per non-fatal

injury. How does this data fit into this proposed study? Stop-sign intersections are inherent within

the totality of driving statistics and, therefore, this study will add to the body of knowledge

regarding the actions of drivers at one specific three-way stop intersection.

Finally, the subsequent proposal outcome report, will be provided to Community Leaders

of the neighborhood where this intersection is located, for the sole purpose of Data-Driven

Informed Decision Making (DDIDM) so that community meetings might address and request the

cooperation of local drivers to enhance the ‘safety of all concerned as a primary factor’ of

community responsibility. Stated differently, the data that are analyzed and reported might save a

life or reduce injury or vehicle costs from such crashes, not to mention the critical importance to

driver and pedestrian safety.

Three-Way Stop Safety: An Observational Investigation 5

Methods, Materials, and Manpower [45 Points Total]

Prior Literature [12 Points]

It might be assumed that traffic habits are ingrained, and therefore, not easily changed.

However, a study by Austin, Hackett, Gravina, and Lebbon (2006) suggested that intervention

methods were causal in nature, and the data of the study indicated a change from 13% of drivers

stopping at a stop sign to an increase of 52% who stopped as a result of the intervention

methodology. With this study in mind, the purpose of this research proposal is to study the stop

rates and habits of drivers at a certain three-way, all-stop intersection (omitting intervention).

Moreover, research in the use of stop signs has a lengthy history, due to statistics which

indicate crashes, injuries, fatalities, and staggering cost (nhtsa.gov, 2020). The details of these

incidents can be found as part of the Public Domain information for research, to support this

present study and to bring validity and reliability to the background baseline that the research to

be conducted has merit for the project to be funded and/or approved (Van Houten & Redding,

2001; Hackett, Gravina & Lebbon, 2006; Shaaban, Wood & Gayah, 2017; nhtsa.gov, 2020;

radford.edu, Spring, 2006).

Specifically, within the overall scheme of traffic safety measures and research, stop-sign

intersections play a major role in controlling traffic flow at key locations in neighborhoods, city

streets, schools, high-pedestrian intersections, and so forth. In one study by Hallmark, Goswamy,

& Pawlovich (2018), it was suggested that “stop sign violations accounted for about 70% of

crashes” in four cities in a study by Retting et al (2003) who investigated crashes at stop-controlled

intersections.

In terms of valid and reliable research, studies, reports, and national safety measures, to

review the background data and reports lends considerable credibility to conducting this study.

This proposal, consequently, will conduct an investigation of the stop practices of drivers and

report those findings in the research report from this proposal. Those findings, with regards to

similar studies, assumes that the outcomes of this proposal will indicate similar findings associated

with similar studies. In other words, this study is an application of the assumptions and prior

literature on the subject under consideration in this proposal, and therefore, expectations of the

outcomes of this study are anticipated to fall within the body of research for stop-sign practices by

drivers who “randomly and securely participate” in this investigation.

Three-Way Stop Safety: An Observational Investigation 6

Methods [11 Points]

This section of the research proposal will address, succinctly, the items which the PI will

include as part of the methods to conduct the research. See Table 1.

Table 1. Methods of the Research Proposal.

Item Title Description/Application of Research Proposal

Observation Methodology to unobtrusively collect the data for the study; this

method will observe vehicles at random times, and record the

activities of the drivers at the noted three-way, all-stop intersection.

Research Design The study is designed to locate a secure station from which the PI

might observe drivers, from an undisclosed location that will ensure

his unobstructed view of the intersection and his view of the drivers;

from this location, he will be able to easily capture and record the

“stop actions” of drivers during each random collection time.

Data Security The data will be recorded on paper for the ease of field-collection

of the data. Once the data has been recorded, it will be digitized and

stored in a secure off-line external USB drive for access and

processing to conduct the numerical data (Quantitative) analysis.

Collection Instrument The collection instrument, a “manual recording instrument”, is

based on the methodology of observing the driver, recording the

driver’s behavior at the three way stop intersection, and

documenting those actions. For example, if the driver does not

attempt to stop, that will be recorded as a Non-Stop, e.g., running a

stop sign at a posted and legal operating intersection. Driver

behavior will determine how the PI records the actions of the driver

at the posted three-way, all-stop intersection clearly posted with

Bold Red Stop Signs at each stop line, clearly marked.

Type of Methodology This study will be using a Quantitative Methodology via numerical

values which signify the type of action demonstrated by the driver.

See Table 2.

Institutional Research

Board (IRB)

While the identity of human subjects will not be used directly to

respond to this study, because there are human subjects included in

the vehicles and to observe the methods of anonymity, random

collection and sampling methods, and to protect the identity of those

who “participate by proxy”, yes… this study will be submitted to

the IRB and actions followed accordingly.

Replication This study can be considered similar to other studies in the domain

of highway safety, particularly at stop sign intersections. Variances

apply, and this study will look at similar studies to assess the

similarities and differences between this study and related studies.

Three-Way Stop Safety: An Observational Investigation 7

Table 2. Proposed Collection Instrument via Observation Methodology.

Date: Hours of Observation & PI on Station:

⃝ CAR

⃝ SUV

⃝ TRUCK

⃝ Full-stop

⃝ Rolling-Stop

⃝ No-Stop

⃝ CAR

⃝ SUV

⃝ TRUCK

⃝ Full-stop

⃝ Rolling-Stop

⃝ No-Stop

⃝ CAR

⃝ SUV

⃝ TRUCK

⃝ Full-stop

⃝ Rolling-Stop

⃝ No-Stop

⃝ CAR

⃝ SUV

⃝ TRUCK

⃝ Full-stop

⃝ Rolling-Stop

⃝ No-Stop

⃝ CAR

⃝ SUV

⃝ TRUCK

⃝ Full-stop

⃝ Rolling-Stop

⃝ No-Stop

⃝ CAR

⃝ SUV

⃝ TRUCK

⃝ Full-stop

⃝ Rolling-Stop

⃝ No-Stop

⃝ CAR

⃝ SUV

⃝ TRUCK

⃝ Full-stop

⃝ Rolling-Stop

⃝ No-Stop

⃝ CAR

⃝ SUV

⃝ TRUCK

⃝ Full-stop

⃝ Rolling-Stop

⃝ No-Stop

⃝ CAR

⃝ SUV

⃝ TRUCK

⃝ Full-stop

⃝ Rolling-Stop

⃝ No-Stop

⃝ CAR

⃝ SUV

⃝ TRUCK

⃝ Full-stop

⃝ Rolling-Stop

⃝ No-Stop

⃝ CAR

⃝ SUV

⃝ TRUCK

⃝ Full-stop

⃝ Rolling-Stop

⃝ No-Stop

⃝ CAR

⃝ SUV

⃝ TRUCK

⃝ Full-stop

⃝ Rolling-Stop

⃝ No-Stop

⃝ CAR

⃝ SUV

⃝ TRUCK

⃝ Full-stop

⃝ Rolling-Stop

⃝ No-Stop

⃝ CAR

⃝ SUV

⃝ TRUCK

⃝ Full-stop

⃝ Rolling-Stop

⃝ No-Stop

⃝ CAR

⃝ SUV

⃝ TRUCK

⃝ Full-stop

⃝ Rolling-Stop

⃝ No-Stop

⃝ CAR

⃝ SUV

⃝ TRUCK

⃝ Full-stop

⃝ Rolling-Stop

⃝ No-Stop

Legend: Vehicles will be numerically identified in the statistical analysis as: [Group – Vehicle. 1.

Car; 2. SUV; 3. Truck]. [Group – Stop Method. 1 Full-stop; 2. Rolling-Stop; 3. No-Stop.] PI

perceptions via comments will be included to enhance the quality of the data collected. No

driver of passenger descriptors will be used at any time. Crashes will be discussed, if applicable.

Three-Way Stop Safety: An Observational Investigation 8

Materials [11 Points]

This section of the research proposal will address, succinctly, the items which the PI will

include as part of the materials to conduct the research. See Table 3.

Table 3. Materials of the Research Proposal.

Item Title Description/Application of Research Proposal

Software Usage The digital system used will be Microsoft Windows 10, with

PowerPoint and Excel to prepare the proposal, report, presentation,

and calculate basic statistics for discussion and outcomes of the

collected raw-data.

Statistical Application Due to the basic nature of the data to be collected, Microsoft Excel will

be used to perform statistical calculations for this proposal and

subsequent report/presentation. However, should p-value and other

comparative “statistically significant” outcomes be needed, SPSS or

other software will be utilized.

Cost for this Project Minimal costs, to be an expenditure of the PI, are assumed, i.e., paper,

toner, copies, etc. Long-term, if this report were to become of interest,

third-parties might like to have a “Professional Copy” of the report, at

which time, costs might become a factor.

Collection Instrument

(See Table 1)

The collection instrument, a “manual recording instrument”, is based

on the methodology of observing the driver, recording the driver’s

behavior at the three way stop intersection, and documenting those

actions. For example, if the driver does not attempt to stop, that will

be recorded as a Non-Stop, e.g., running a stop sign at a posted and

legal operating intersection. Driver behavior will determine how the

PI records the actions of the driver at the posted three-way, all-stop

intersection clearly posted with Bold Red Stop Signs at each stop line,

clearly marked.

Timeline This proposal, initially, is scheduled for a 30-day collection window.

The purpose in the 30-day sample is random and has no bearing on

other research or factors. Should the sample size prove too low for data

validity and reliability and robustness of the data, the timeline could

be extended.

Data Integrity and

Safe-Storage of Same

Because no human subjects will be directly involved (identification of

participants), the data collected will be of such a nature that no means

to identify individual owners of vehicles will be possible. Therefore,

to assume even the slightest misuse of the data, all data will be in the

control of the PI and stored in a safe location for a period of 12 months.

Miscellaneous

Considerations for this

Proposal

Other materials may be needed, ad hoc, but any additions to this stated

proposal will be included in the report as an Addenda item to ensure

that no individual will be identified, so that all data fulfills the rules of

proper research, such as anonymity, random sampling, etc. Should

changes occur, the committee/team/Board will be notified in writing

ASAP.

Three-Way Stop Safety: An Observational Investigation 9

Manpower [11 Points]

This section of the research proposal will address, succinctly, the items which the PI will

include as part of the manpower to conduct the research. See Table 4.

Table 4. Manpower of the Research Proposal.

Item Title Description/Application of Research Proposal

Principal Investigator (PI) The Principal Investigator, or PI, for this proposed investigation

will be Kenneth Scott, EdD. He is an educator, and is conducting

this study to contribute to the safety of the citizens in the city in

which he resides.

Participants The participants in this proposed study will be local drivers that

utilize this three-way, all-stop, intersection. They will not be

notified of their participation, as they are NOT identified by any

means whatsoever in this study. No images, tags, or other

information will be used in noting stop-sign trends in this study.

There will be no use of identification in terms of gender, race, age,

height, weight, or color of vehicle, make/model of vehicle, or any

other discriminating data collected to identify the driver and/or

passengers in the vehicles. ONLY the stop methods are observed

and data collected (See Table 2).

Participant variables that

impact identification

(See Participants in Table 4)

Qualifications of the PI,

and any CO-PI to be

identified.

Only the PI will be conducting this study, with no CO-PI expected

to join the study (should this change, notification will be submitted.)

The qualifications of the PI are: past research, publications,

proficient in Excel and SPSS, and MS Word applications to produce

the proposal, report and presentation; experienced in collecting data

in various methodologies; and other experienced research modes.

Incentives No incentives will be used in this study.

Associated Personnel to

support and/or help

develop this study.

It is not anticipated that anyone other than the PI will be involved

in this study. No research-assistants or part-time/full-time

individuals are expected or anticipated in the outcomes of this

proposal and/or report and/or presentation (or submissions to a

Peer-Reviewed Journal for possible publication.)

Other Manpower Issues At present, there are no other known or expected manpower issues

to be included. If this changes, the committee/team/Board will be

notified in writing ASAP.

Three-Way Stop Safety: An Observational Investigation

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