Module Six, Topic Two

1
Section 4 (Day 1)
Information Processing Complex Risk
Environments
2
Bell Ringer

• What is going on or what happened in these
  pictures? Support your opinion by using specific
  reasons and details.

Write a half page red to red. Save these to be
turned in with your test! Worth 10 of your
grade.
3
Reminder

• Bring paper/pen/pencil and notebook
• Electronics are for instructional use with
  permission
• Dont forget to do daily quizzes on QUIA.COM
• No Excuses why you dont take Quizzes 1-6
• before test day!! (Quizzes are worth 30 of
  grade)
• Attendance is MANDATORY!! (NO SLEEPING in class)
• All notes can be found on Harrisonburgs staff
  website
• http//staff.harrisonburg.k12.va.us/tbutler/
• If you are NOT taking notes in class, please be
  quiet and ask to use the restroom at the end of
  class.

4
Green Card
Your Name Here
Harrisonburg High School
H.C.P.S
36
x
03/06/2012
This is what you are trying to get at the end of
class..
5
Day 1 Objectives

• The students will be able to identify the 3 parts
  of an expressway entrance
• The students will be able to explain the steps of
  entering the entrance ramp
• The students will be able to explain the steps of
  entering the acceleration lane
• The students will be able to explain the steps of
  entering the merge area
• Related SOL DE.3, DE.4, DE.5, DE.6, DE. 7, and
  DE.20

6
Entering an Expressway

• Before entering an expressway, make sure you have
  searched guide signs for correct route number and
  direction or destination.

7
An Expressway Entrance
The ramp is divided into three sections
Merge Area
1. The Entrance or Access Ramp gives the
driver time to begin evaluating traffic
conditions.
Acceleration Lane
2. The Acceleration Lane allows a driver to
adjust vehicle speed to the speed of traffic on
the expressway.
Entrance Ramp
3. The Merging Area allows the driver to merge
onto the expressway.
8
Entering the Entrance Ramp

• Enter the Entrance Ramp
• Begin Searching for a Gap / Open Space
• Identify Gap / Space

Entrance Ramp
9
Problems With Expressway Entrances

• General Problems
• Heavy traffic
• Short ramps and acceleration lanes
• High walls that may block visibility
• Traffic on ramp may slow or stop abruptly

Be glad you live in Harrisonburg
10
Problems With Expressway Entrances

• Picking the wrong lane
• Traffic ahead and behind on the ramp
• Sharp curves on the ramp
• Visibility problems ahead and on the expressway

11
Reducing Risk on the Entrance Ramp

• Searching for the proper entrance
• Searching ahead, behind, and to the expressway
• Preparing to adjust speed for blocked ramp
• Avoiding stopping or backing on ramp

12
Entering The Acceleration Lane

• Use the left-lane signal indicator
• Adjust speed to match the speed of the traffic on
  the expressway
• Monitor gap on expressway

Acceleration Lane
13
Acceleration Lane Problems

• Amount of traffic in lane and on expressway
• Short acceleration lane
• Limited space ahead
• Actions of drivers ahead and behind

14
Reducing Risk in the Acceleration Lane

• Searching ahead and for gap on expressway
• Preparing to adjust speed
• Pulling onto the shoulder if no merge is available

15
Entering Merge Area

• Accelerate to blend with the speed of traffic on
  the expressway
• Check Rear and Left Rear Zones

Merge Area
16
Selecting a Gap in Traffic

• Check Front Zone
• Check Rear and Left Rear Zones
• Select Gap
• Identify a Target Area in the Open Space

Target Area
Merge Area
17
Selecting A Gap
When merging onto an expressway, stay in the
right lane until you become accustomed to the
faster traffic flow.

• Center Vehicle in Proper Lane
• Adjust Speed to Traffic Flow and Legal Limit

18
Merging into the Traffic Flow

• Continue searching for adequate gap
• Search for potential conflicts
• Prepare to adjust speed
• Avoid stopping on the ramp
• Be prepared to drive onto the shoulder if
  necessary
• Merge smoothly
• Create space around your vehicle once you have
  entered the lane

19
Merging Area Problems

• Heavy traffic
• Lack of a gap to merge
• Traffic slowing or stopping ahead
• Visibility problems ahead and to the side

20
Reducing Risk in Merging Areas

• Searching ahead and to the side
• Preparing to blend speed with traffic
• Watching for traffic changing lanes at merge

21
Critical Points

• Keep a space cushion at least on one side of your
  car
• The need to change lanes occurs often.
• Can be dangerous

22
Critical Points

• Driving at the common speed of traffic is the
  best way to establish and maintain a safe space
  cushion around your vehicle
• Following distance is critical (4 seconds or more)

23
Class Work

• Read pages 208-212 in the drivers education book
• Answer Lesson 4 Review Questions 12.
• (Write the questions)
• For questions 12, give two examples for each
  factor
• Save these to be turned in with your test

Dont forget to take Section 4 Day 1 Quiz on
Quia.com
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THE END !