A Systemic Evaluation of Wrong-Way Driving Crashes and Countermeasures on Virginia’s Roads - Final Report

Aug 22, 2026

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Wrong-way driving (WWD) crashes represent a small share of all crashes yet show markedly greater severity. This final project conducts a systemic evaluation of WWD incident and crash risk and develops countermeasures tailored to Virginia roadways. The work quantifies WWD crash and WWD-related 911 call occurrence, examines roadway and interchange characteristics affecting off-ramp entries, and assesses selected multilane divided highways.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages67

Reading Time2 h 49 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Study purpose and evaluation scope

Data sources and key findings

Countermeasure development and deployment guidance

A Systemic Evaluation of Wrong Way Driving Crashes and Countermeasures [https://vtrc.virginia.gov/media/vtrc/vtrc-pdf/vtrc-pdf/25-R10.pdf](https://vtrc.virginia.gov/media/vtrc/vtrc-pdf/vtrc-pdf/25-R10.pdf) [HYUN W](HYUN W). CHO, Ph. D., P. E. Research Scientist ERIN M. ROBARTES, Ph. D. Research Scientist BENJAMIN H. COTTRELL, JR., P. E. Principal Research Scientist Final Report VTRC 25-R10 Standard Title Page-Report on Federally Funded Project | 1. Report No.: FHWA/VTRC 25-R10 | 2. Government Accession No.: | | | 3. Recipient ’s Catalog No.: | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 4. Title and Subtitle:
A Systemic Evaluation of Wrong Way Driving Crashes and Countermeasures on Virginia Roads | | | | 5. Report Date: January 2025 | | | | | | | | 6. Performing Organization Code: | | | | 7. Author(s):
Hyun W. Cho, Ph.D., P.E.; Erin Robartes, Ph.D. ; Benjamin Cottrell Jr., P.E. | | | | 8. Performing Organization Report No.: VTRC 25-R10 | | | | 9. Performing Organization and Address:
Virginia Transportation Research Council
530 Edgemont Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903 | | | | 10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS): | | | | | | | | 11. Contract or Grant No.:
121990 | | | | 12. Sponsoring Agencies ’ Name and Address: | | | | 13. Type of Report and Period Covered: Final | | | | Virginia Department of Transportation 1401 E. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219 | | Federal Highway Administration 400 North 8th Street, Room 750 Richmond, VA 23219-4825 | | | | | | | | | | 14. Sponsoring Agency Code: | | | | 15. Supplementary Notes:
This is an SPR-B report. | | | | | | | | 16. Abstract:
Wrong-way driving (WWD) crashes are a small percentage of all crashes but tend to be more severe. The purpose of this project was to perform a systemic evaluation ofWWD incident and crash risks and identify countermeasures for Virginia ’s roadways. This evaluation included assessing the magnitude of WWD crashes and WWD-related 911 calls in Virginia, investigating roadway features such as interchange type that could affect offramp entries to interstate highways and selected multilane divided highways. The study developed a list ofWWD countermeasures and resources and provided guidance and a plan to prioritize deployment of these countermeasures.
WWD-related crash data and 911 calls were obtained and analyzed for interstate highways in Virginia, and WWD 911 data were analyzed for selected multilane divided highways. WWD crashes on interstates in Virginia are relatively few but are more severe than other crash types. The 911 data provided a snapshot ofWWD incidents that fortunately did not result in a crash in most cases. A major limitation of WWD crash and 911 data is the lack of information of the entry point for the WWD.
Guidance and a proposed plan for using WWD countermeasures were developed, with a focus on low-cost countermeasures and a potential review of select locations or corridors and three interchange types. The planning level benefit-cost ratio range for these WWD treatments was estimated to be between 4 and 23. | | | | | | | | 17. Key Words:
Wrong way driving crashes, Wrong way driving 911 calls, Countermeasures | | | 18. Distribution Statement:
No restrictions. This document is available to the public through NTIS, Springfield, VA 22161. | | | | | 19. Security Classif. (of this report): Unclassified | | 20. Security Classif. (of this page): Unclassified | | | 21. No. of Pages: 61 | 22. Price: | Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized FINAL REPORT A SYSTEMIC EVALUATION OF WRONG-WAY DRIVING CRASHES AND COUNTERMEASURES ON VIRGINIA’S ROADS Hyun W. Cho, Ph.D., P.E. Research Scientist Erin Robartes, Ph.D. Research Scientist Benjamin H. Cottrell Jr., P.E. Principal Research Scientist In Cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Virginia Transportat

FAQs

What is the main objective of this project?

To perform a systemic evaluation of wrong-way driving (WWD) incident and crash risks and identify countermeasures for Virginia roadways.

Which data were analyzed in the evaluation?

WWD crash data and WWD-related 911 calls were obtained and analyzed for interstate highways in Virginia, and WWD 911 data were analyzed for selected multilane divided highways.

What limitation affects the WWD crash and 911 data used here?

A major limitation is the lack of information about the entry point of the wrong-way driving event.

Aug 22, 2026

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