Impacts of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) on transportation infrastructure safety and regulation

Kate Hunter-Zaworski, Oregon State University

Co-investigator:

  • Linda Cornell, Oregon DOT

Summary:

There are increasing numbers of low-speed electric vehicles (LSVs) on public roadways. These vehicles are designed to be used within protected environments and on roadways with a maximum posted speed of 25 mph. Currently these vehicles are not subject to the same federal requirements for occupant protection as passenger cars. This research project investigated safety standards, operating regulations, and LSV manufacturer materials from sources around the world. The purpose of the research was to determine positive and negative impacts that LSVs, including Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) and Medium Speed Electric Vehicles (MSEVs), are likely to have for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Oregon communities, and whether adjustments in current state regulations are needed to ensure that LSVs do not negatively impact road safety and traffic operations, or expose the LSV operators to undue risk. The U.S. and Canadian federal motor vehicle safety agencies have harmonized their regulations and stipulated the maximum operating speed of these vehicles, however state and local roadway authorities have regulated the maximum speed of roadways and intersection characteristics on which these vehicles can operate. The significant recommendations of this research are: (i)The State of Oregon regulations for LSVs should be amended such that LSVs are limited to public roadways with a maximum operating speed of 25 mph, and they are restricted to crossing higher speed roadways at four-way Stop or traffic controlled intersections, (ii) local transportation authorities should develop parallel or secondary low-speed transportation networks that connect residential neighborhoods with major activity centers.

Project Details

Project Type:
Research
Project Status:
Completed
End Date:
March 31,2011
UTC Grant Cycle:
OTREC 2010
UTC Funding:
$70,611
TRB RIP:
22852

Downloadable Products

Other Products

  • Jannat, Mafruhatul and K.M., Hunter-Zaworski, “Planning Secondary Road Network for Low-Speed Vehicles in Small or Medium-Sized City: Using Google Earth” Proceedings, Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting. Washington, DC January 2012. (PRESENTATION)
  • Hunter-Zaworski, “Impacts of Low-Speed Vehicles on Transportation Infrastructure and Safety” Proceedings World Symposium of Transport and Land Use Research, Whistler BC. Canada July 28-30, 2011 (PRESENTATION)
  • Hunter-Zaworski, K.M., “Impacts of Low-Speed Vehicles on Transportation Infrastructure and Safety,” Journal of Transport and Land Use. April 2012 (PUBLICATION)
  • Jannat, Mafruhatul and K.M., Hunter-Zaworski, “Planning Secondary Road Network for Low-Speed Vehicles in Small or Medium-Sized City: Using Google Earth,” Transportation Research Record, March 2012 (PUBLICATION)