For training purposes, you have practiced searching for HTS events in only one major group at a time. As you search the traffic scene in actual driving situations, however, you must be able to search all three groups at almost the same time.
For example, as you come to an intersection, you search all four corners for signs and signals. At the same time, you check the sharpness of the corner curb and the road surface for reduced traction. As you check for visibility problems, you observe other users for clues to their probable actions.
Is a car speeding up to beat the light change? Will pedestrians delay cars’ turning movements? Is the car behind you tailgating? Are any of the cars parked at the end of block ready to move into traffic?
With this final set of slides, you will combine all three searching habits into one. We are ready to “put it all together” into a systematic search pattern. For each picture, I will tell you whether to search for two groups or all three groups of HTS events.
A-1 Search for all groups . . . Ready?
After the slide is on the screen, select individual students to identify the various groups:
• There are two lanes going in your direction.
• There is a left turn only lane to your left a traffic light ahead.
• Note the vehicles to the front, one of which is a dump truck.
Once all the groups have been identified, ask the following true-or-false questions:
A. The truck ahead has its right turn signal on. True B. You have a good sight distance. False C. The traffic light ahead is yellow. False
A-2 Search for all groups . . . Ready?
After the slide is on the screen, select individual students to identify the various groups:
• Two-lane, two-way roadway; no pavement markings; an intersection ahead
• Vehicle along the right-hand side of the roadway with a door open
Once all the groups have been identified, ask the following true-or-false questions:
A. You have a good sight distance. True B. The vehicle along the right is stopped. True C. You have limited space ahead. False
A-3 Search for all groups . . . Ready?
A. You have limited space ahead. True B. You have a good sight distance. False C. You have good traction. False
Put A-3 back on the screen forscoring and discussion.
A. True. The roadway design and drifting snow make space limited. B. False. The sight distance is very limited because of the hill.
A-4 Search for all groups . . . Ready?
A. You have a good sight distance. False B. The road ahead is closed. True C. Your view to the sides is poor. True
Put A-4 back on the screen for scoring and discussion.
A. False. The curvature of the roadway limits the sight distance.
B. True. Warning signs indicating that the road ahead is closed are clearly visible on both sides of the roadway.
C. True. Snow banks, guide rails, and trees limit visibility to the sides.
A-5 Search for all groups. . . Ready?
A. The traffic light is green. False B. You have good visibility. True C. The ongoing vehicle is turning right. False
Put A-5 back on the screen for scoring and discussion.
A. False. The traffic light is red and the right turning lane signal is changing to red.
B. True. You have a good sight distance, and visibility to the sides is open. C. False. The ongoing vehicle has no signal on, nor is it positioning for a right
turn.
You are now ready to show the three test slides, using the same procedure you did in Session Two.
A-6 Search for all groups . . . Ready?
A. There are two pedestrians ahead. True B. You have a good sight distance. True C. This is an area of poor traction. False
Put A-6 back on the screen for scoring and discussion.
A. True. There is one pedestrian crossing and one starting to cross.
B. True. For the speeds being traveled in this environment, the sight distance is sufficient.
C. False. The roadways are dry and level.
A. You are on a two-lane, two-way roadway. False B. You are approaching two construction zone workers. True C. You have a good sight distance. True
Put A-7 back on the screen for scoring and discussion.
A. False. You are traveling on a four-lane roadway with two lanes going in each direction.
B. True. One construction zone worker is standing in the left turning lane and the other is standing off the roadway to the right.
C. True. A sight distance of at least 20 to 30 seconds is visible in this scene.
A-8 Search for all groups... Ready?
A. The shoulders are level with the roadway. True B. You are in an area of limited traction. False C. You have a limited sight distance. True
Put A-8 back on the screen for scoring and discussion.
A. True. The shoulders are level with the roadway but are narrow. B. False. The roadway is dry and level.
C. True. The curve ahead in the roadway reduces visibility.
The mental processes or skills you have been using to choose an answer are the most important part of this slide training program. Hopefully, you will be able to apply these skills in the training car. Remember, you should be able to continue making progress after this course and improve your identification skills as they relate to your projected path of travel.