| Abstract: | Two variable interval patrol strategies were developed to increase the effectiveness of single highway patrol units at controlling traffic speeds. These strategies, along with a sub-strategy involving randomization of patrol location, were employed on a 17 mile segment of a two lane highway and a 17 mile segment of a four lane, divided highway. The strategies were designed for use with commuter traffic and were employed during the morning commuter period from 0700-0830. The patrol unit used was always parked adjacent to the lane having the greatest traffic volume and was not hidden from view. The objectives of the research were to determine if the length of impact, or "halo" effect, of a single patrol vehicle could be extended by randomizing its location and to determine if variable interval strategies of patrol deployment could be used as a means of controlling traffic speeds when a patrol vehicle was not actually present. The results indicate that the "halo" or spread of effect can be extended from six miles to around 14 miles although the evidence suggesting this extension was caused by randomization was inconclusive. Traffic speeds or speed variances were suppressed on some days when the patrol vehicle was not present, however, this effect was not manifested until after at least six weeks of enforcement activity. |
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