Engineering Countermeasures for Red-Light Running: A State-of-the-Art Review

Abstract

Red-light running poses a critical safety challenge at signalized intersections, driving extensive research into engineering and enforcement countermeasures. This review paper focuses on engineering countermeasures, classifying them into five functional categories: (1) improving signal visibility and conspicuity, (2) enhancing drivers’ awareness and likelihood of stopping, (3) optimizing signal timing and operations, (4) eliminating the need to stop, and (5) mitigating dilemma zone conflicts. The review reveals that the effectiveness of red-light running countermeasures is heavily dependent on contextual factors such as geographic location, traffic dynamics, driver behavior, and geometric design. A countermeasure that is effective in one setting may yield mixed or even adverse results in another. This review also highlights that even well-regarded interventions can lead to unintended consequences if not implemented properly, emphasizing the need for post-implementation monitoring. The most effective countermeasure against red-light running is site-specific, and the literature summarized in this paper can serve as a valuable guide for practitioners in selecting the most appropriate strategy for their unique context.