Semester of Graduation
Summer 2026
Degree Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Degree Name
Ph.D. Interdisciplinary Engineering-Smart Infrastructure
Department
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Sunanda Dissanayake
Second Advisor
NA
Third Advisor
NA
Fourth Advisor
NA
Abstract
Speed management in school zones is a growing concern for transportation agencies, due to its importance for children's safety. This dissertation quantitatively evaluated the effectiveness of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE), a speed management strategy, using a multidimensional framework, collecting data from the ASE program in school zones in Georgia, United States. Crash Modification Factors (CMFs) were estimated using before-and-after studies (1) with the Empirical Bayes approach, considering treated schools, and (2) the comparison-group method. Speed data were collected at schools with and without ASE and analyzed to determine key parameters and driver compliance, and to statistically compare speed and variance. A road user survey was conducted to explore public opinions, and responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and cross-classification.
Findings indicated that ASE resulted in reductions of 10 percent and 9 percent in total crashes, and of 35 percent and 54 percent in speeding-related crashes, at schools located on state-maintained and locally maintained roads, respectively. CMFs below 1.0 were observed across all scenarios considered. Treated schools experienced lower mean and percentile speeds, variances, and higher driver compliance than control schools. At treated schools, the percentage of drivers exceeding speed limits by more than 10 mph was 36 percent lower compared to control schools. In the road user survey, 71 percent of respondents supported ASE, while raising concerns about revenue allocation and issuing citations to the vehicle owner rather than the driver. In summary, ASE was found to be an effective enforcement practice, resulting in improved safety in school zones.
Comments
This project was funded by the Georgia Department of Transportation- GDOT RP 23-15 (PI: Dr. Sunanda Disssanayake, Co PI: Dr. Parth Bhavsar)