National Academies Press: OpenBook

Multimodal Level of Service Analysis for Urban Streets (2008)

Chapter: Appendix B - Study Protocol

« Previous: Appendix A - Subject Data Collection Forms
Page 105
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B - Study Protocol." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2008. Multimodal Level of Service Analysis for Urban Streets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14175.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix B - Study Protocol." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2008. Multimodal Level of Service Analysis for Urban Streets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14175.
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Page 107
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B - Study Protocol." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2008. Multimodal Level of Service Analysis for Urban Streets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14175.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix B - Study Protocol." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2008. Multimodal Level of Service Analysis for Urban Streets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14175.
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Page 109
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B - Study Protocol." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2008. Multimodal Level of Service Analysis for Urban Streets. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14175.
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Page 109

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105 PROTOCOL: 1. There are no direct benefits to the participants. The study is likely to yield general information about driver perception of quality of service of roadways. We will use the drivers’ appraisal of streets as depicted on video clips to understand driver per- ception. Currently, there is no recognized methodology that measures the quality of service provided by transportation facilities from the drivers’ perspective. We will recruit participants in four representative locations in the US through per- sonal contact and limited advertising. 2. We will ask participants to read and sign an informed consent sheet (a representative copy is attached, which will be replaced by the approved informed consent form when approved by the HSRB). Participants who elect to be paid will receive a $75 cash payment upon completion of the study. Participants will be paid through the grant. Payment is required to compensate for the inconvenience and time required to participate in the study. Student participants will receive course credit. 3. No minors will be involved. Participants will be at least 18 years of age. 4. Participants will view a series of video clips using a large screen projection system and an LCD projector. The test will be con- ducted in two parts. In part 1 of the study travelers will be prompted to rate their overall level of satisfaction with the facility on an A-F scale. After viewing all of the clips (total viewing time less than 120 minutes with 2-3 10 minute breaks) part 2 of the study will begin. Part 2 of the study is a focus group that will involve a portion (6-7 participants) of the participants. The purpose of part 2 is to learn more about specific features or conditions that relate to driver ratings of performance as por- trayed in the video clips. 5. Each subject will be assigned a unique ID number. However, the information connecting a person’s ID to their name will be stored in a separate file until data collection for that subject is completed. At that time, person-identifiable information will be discarded, as it will no longer be needed. Thus, no person-identifiable data will be maintained once data collection has been completed. 6. This research poses no more risk than that which would ordinarily be encountered in daily life. The expected benefit of this research is an increase of knowledge about the factors underlying driver satisfaction with the quality of service on urban arterials. 7. The rating forms will be secured at the George Mason University Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering (identified by subject id number and date), and will not be shown to individuals or agencies outside of the research team. The forms will be stored in a secure, locked private office and labeled by subject number, date and location. Participants’ names will not be written on the forms. The data on the forms will be entered on a computer spreadsheet, but subjects’ names will not be entered in the spreadsheet. 8. There is no need to misinform, or to not inform subjects about the true nature of the project. Informed Consent Form The purpose of this project is to obtain driver opinion about roadway conditions and features in a multimodal environment. In the study, you will be asked to watch several video clips. Upon the completion of each video clip, you will be given the oppor- tunity to write down your rating of the clip. Once you are finished rating a clip, the next clip will be shown and the process will A P P E N D I X B Study Protocol

be repeated. After about one hour, we will take a break and questions will be entertained. After the break, we will resume watch- ing clips and you will rate the clips. The project can benefit drivers indirectly by helping traffic engineers further understand the features and factors on roadways that are important to the driving public. There are no direct benefits to you; however, the proj- ect may help traffic engineers further understand the features and factors on roadways that are important to the driving public. The entire sessions should not last longer than three hours. Upon completion of the clip ratings, you will be asked to turn in your rating sheets. We will then provide you with an honorarium. At that time, we will answer any questions you may have about the project. Please note the following: • Your participation is voluntary. You may discontinue participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. • You will be provided with a $75 honorarium in recognition of the value of your contribution to the study. • All data collected in this study are confidential. All surveys will be discarded after the data analysis. This study is being directed by Aimee Flannery of the Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering Department at George Mason University. Dr. Flannery may be contacted by email at aflanner@gmu.edu or at 703-993-1738 should any question arise. You may also contact the George Mason University Office of Sponsored Programs at 703-993-2295 if you have any questions or comments regarding your rights as a participant in this research. The project has been reviewed according to the George Mason University procedures governing your participation in research. The Transportation Research Board is funding this study. I have read this form and agree to participate in the study. Consent Signature: _________________________________________ Date: _____________ Witness Signature: _________________________________________ Date: _____________ 106

107 George Mason University Human Subjects Review Board Application for Human Subjects Research Review Federal Regulations and George Mason University policy require that all research involving humans as subjects be reviewed and approved by the University Human Subjects Review Board (HSRB). Any person, (GMU faculty member, staff member, student, or other person) wanting to engage in human subject research at or through George Mason University must receive written approval from the HSRB before conducting research. Human Subject is defined as a living individual about whom an investigator conducting research obtains a) data through intervention with the individual, or b) identifiable private information or records. Research is the systematic in vestigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to knowledge. Approva l of this project by the HSRB only signifies that the procedures adequately protect the rights and welfare of the subjects and should not be taken to indicate University approval to conduct the research. Please complete this cover page AND provide the Protocol information requested on the back of this form. Forward this form and all supporting documents to the Office of Sponsored Programs, Compliance Department, MS 4C6. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Compliance Department at 703-993-4121 . Project Title: NCHRP 370 Phase II Study 1 Multimodal Urban Street Level of Service Required Data Principal Investigator Co-Investigator/Student Researcher Name Aimee Flannery, Ph.D., P.E. Department Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engg Mail Stop 4A6 Phone 3-1738 E-mail aflanner@gmu.edu Status Faculty/Staf f Other __________________________ Doctoral Dissertation Masters Thesis Class Project(Specify Grad or Under Grad) I certify that the information provided for this project is correct and that no other procedures will be used in this protocol. I agree to conduct this research as described in the attached supporting documents. I will request and receive approval from the HSRB for changes prior to implementing these changes. I will comply with the HSRB policy for the conduct of ethical research. I will be responsible for ensuring that the work of my co-investigator(s) /student researcher(s) complies with this protocol. Principal Investigator Signature 4/07/06 Date For OSP Use Only GMU Protocol No. ____________ Proposal No. ___________ Classifie d : Exempt ___ Non Exempt Expedited Signature Date

108 ABSTRACT: The abstract must appear here. Use a separate sheet for continuation. Refer to the guidelines on the reverse side.4 The project's goal is to obtain driver opinions and perceptions of the quality of service on urban streets, defined here as signalized, multi-lane highways with cross-streets placed ½ to 1 mile apart. Drivers' perceptions of service can be useful to traffic engineers in the design and improvement of roadways and can be used to supplement the Highway Capacity Manual. The information obtained in the project will provide the academic and practitioner with a better understanding of driver perceptions about roadway quality of service. The project proposes to ask licensed drivers to view video taped segments of urban streets and rate the quality of service on the streets presented on the video. The drivers will complete a short rating form for each segment shown. The video tapes will be projected on a large screen in a classroom setting. Approximately 140 drivers are required for this project. The subjects will be licensed drivers aged 18-65 years of age. The criterion for inclusion for the subjects is a valid driver’s license and willingness to participate in the study. Drivers will be paid for their participation or receive class credit. The proposed research will involve the following (check all that apply): VULNERABLE POPULATION: __Fetuses/Abortuses/Embryos __Pregnant women __Prisoners __Minors __Mentally retarded/disabled __Emotionally disabled __Physically disabled __Psychology undergrad pool __Other: PERSON IDENTIFIABLE DATA: __ Audio taping __ Video taping __ Data collected via email __ Data collected via internet __ Confidential electronic records __ Coded data linked to individuals __ Human biological materials RESEARCH DESIGN: __ Questions on harm to self or others __ Questions on illegal behavior __ Deception __ Human/computer interaction __ Collection and/or analysis of secondary data OUTSIDE FUNDING: Source ____Transportation Research Board____________________________ Revised March 2005 ABSTRACT 1. Describe the aims and specific purposes of the research project and the proposed involvement of human participants. 2. Describe the characteristics of the intended sample (number of participants, age, sex, ethnic background, health status, etc). 3. Identify the criteria for inclusion or exclusion. Explain the rationale for the involvement of special classes of participants (chil- dren, prisoners, pregnant women, or any other vulnerable population. 4. Describe your relationship to the participants if any. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PROTOCOL—Involving Human Participation 1. If there are direct benefits to the participants, describe the direct benefits and also describe t he general knowledge that the study is likely to yield. If there are no direct benefits to the participants, state that there are no direct benefits to the partici- pants and describe the general knowledge that the study is likely to yield. 2. Describe how participants will be recruited. Note that all advertisements for participants must be submitted for review for both exempt and non-exempt projects. 3. Describe your procedures for obtaining informed consent. Who will obtain consent and how will it be obtained. Describe how the researchers will ensure that subjects receive a copy of the consent document. 4. State whether subjects will be compensated for their participation, describe the form of compensation and the procedures for distribution, and explain why compensation is necessary. State whether the subjects will receive course credit for participating in the research. If yes, describe the nonresearch option for course credit for the students who decide not to participate in the research. The nonresearch option for course credit must not be more difficult than participation in the research. Information regarding compensation or course credit, should be outlined in the Participation section of the consent document. 5. If minors are involved, their active assent to the research activity is required as well as active consent from their parents/guardians. This includes minors from the Psychology Department Undergraduate Subject Pool. Your procedures should be appropriate to the age of the child and his/her level of maturity and judgment. Describe your procedures for obtaining active assent from minors and active consent from parents/guardians. Refer to the Guidelines for Informed Consent for additional requirements if minors from the Psychology Subject Pool are involved.

6. Describe what participants will be asked to do. Include an estimate of the time required to complete the procedures. 7. Describe how confidentiality will be maintained. If data will be collected electronically (e.g. by email or an internet web site), describe your procedures for limiting identifiers. Note that confidentiality may have to be limited if participants are asked questions on violence toward self or others or illegal behavior. Contact the Office of Sponsored Programs for assistance. 8. Describe in detail any potential physical, psychological, social, or legal risks to participants and why they are reasonable in relation to the anticipated benefits. Where appropriate, discuss provisions for ensuring medical or professional intervention in case participants experience adverse effects. Where appropriate, discuss provisions for monitoring data collection when participants’ safety is at risk. 9. If participants will be audio-or video-taped, discuss provisions for the security and final disposition of the tapes. Refer to #2 of the Guidelines for Informed Consent. 10. If participants will be misinformed and/or uninformed about the true nature of the project, provide justification. Note that projects involving deception must not exceed minimal risk, cannot violate the rights and welfare of participants, must require the deception to accomplish the aims of the project, and must include a full debriefing. Refer to #8 of the Guidelines for Informed Consent. INFORMED CONSENT: Provide appropriate Proposed Informed Consent document(s). See Guidelines for Informed Consent and Model Informed Consent Document for additional information. INSTRUMENTS: Submit a copy of each instrument/tool you will use and provide a brief description of its characteristics and development. Submit scripts if information and/or questions are conveyed verbally. APPROVAL FROM COOPERATING INSTITUTION/ORGANIZATION: If a cooperating institution/organization provides access to its patients/students/clients/ employees/etc. for participant recruit- ment or provides access to their records, submit written evidence of the institution/organization human subjects approval of the project. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Note: If research involves use of existing records, please see guidelines on following page. Revised March 2005 PROTOCOL—Involving Existing Records (For the study of existing data sets, documents, pathological specimens, or diagnostic specimens.) 1. Describe your data set. 2. Provide written permission from the custodian of the data giving you access for research purposes at George Mason Univer- sity if the data set is not publicly available. 3. Describe how you will maintain confidentiality if the data set contains person identifiable data. 4. Describe what you are extracting from the data set. 109

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Multimodal Level of Service Analysis for Urban Streets Get This Book
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TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 616: Multimodal Level of Service Analysis for Urban Streets explores a method for assessing how well an urban street serves the needs of all of its users. The method for evaluating the multimodal level of service (MMLOS) estimates the auto, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian level of service on an urban street using a combination of readily available data and data normally gathered by an agency to assess auto and transit level of service. The MMLOS user’s guide was published as NCHRP Web-Only Document 128.

Errata

In the printed version of the report, equations 36 (pedestrian segment LOS) and 37 (pedestrian LOS for signalized intersections) on page 88 have been revised and are available online. The equations in the electronic (dpf) version of the report are correct.

In June 2010, TRB released NCHRP Web-Only Document 158: Field Test Results of the Multimodal Level of Service Analysis for Urban Streets (MMLOS) that explores the result of a field test of the MMLOS in 10 metropolitan areas in the United States.

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