Michigan Department of Transportation Permission to Experiment – 6(09)-35 (E): Driveway Assistance Device, Contract ID 77024-130024

The purpose of this report is to present the results of the deployment of Driveway Assistance Devices (DADs) as part of a temporary signal system on M-19 in St. Clair County. The project is part of Contract ID 77024-130024 and the work description for M-19 is road reconstruction, drainage work, and safety improvements. The project was designed to be constructed part-width, allowing the contractor to close one lane to complete work on half of the roadway while maintaining two-way traffic on the open lane, using temporary traffic signals. Traffic at the Burt Road intersection and the commercial driveways at the Sunoco Gas Station was important to maintain throughout the project duration. A DAD device was implemented at each of these locations. The use of DADs on M-19 was valuable in providing a safe and cost-effective method for managing driveway and local road traffic in a one-lane, two-way work zone. The total compliance and overall safe movement rates demonstrated the high level of safety provided by the DADs. The use of DADs was determined to be successful on this project and their continued use on Michigan roadways is recommended.