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ALTERING CONTINGENCIES TO FACILITATE COMPLIANCE WITH TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEMS
Author(s) -
Jason Leonard A.,
Neal Angela M.,
Marinakis George
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of applied behavior analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1938-3703
pISSN - 0021-8855
DOI - 10.1901/jaba.1985.18-95
Subject(s) - traffic signal , intersection (aeronautics) , red light , compliance (psychology) , poison control , transport engineering , psychology , computer science , medicine , medical emergency , engineering , biology , social psychology , real time computing , botany
The effects of altering light pattern sequences on driver compliance at a busy, urban intersection were explored. The baseline light timing sequences resulted in only 46.8% of drivers stopping at the yellow or red lights. Using an A‐B‐C design, we altered light pattern sequences that increased the probability of drivers stopping at the signals to 88.8% and 98.8%. These findings indicate that traffic light contingencies have potent effects in influencing driver behaviors at busy intersections. Following completion of the study, the traffic engineer approved the permanence of the light timing pattern that increased traffic rule compliance. Accident data collected before and after the light timing changes indicated a reduction in automobile accidents.