Collecting and Analyzing Stakeholder Feedback for Signing At Complex Interchanges
APPENDIX C. INTERVIEW MODERATOR GUIDE
The following text is the interview guide from the stakeholder interviews. All of the main questions are those that are numbered. The sub-questions (i.e., those noted with a letter) were optional, and only asked if there was time and if they were useful for obtaining follow-up responses.
Interview Introduction
- Thank you for taking the time to talk with us today.
- Did you have a chance to look over the handout we sent you ahead of the interview?
- The purpose of these interviews is to have discussions that lead to input on future research directions for complex interchange research.
- All of the information you provide will be reported in an anonymous and aggregated manner. The contact information you provide will only be used to follow-up if there are any questions regarding your responses.
- We would like to make an audio recording of this interview to allow us to check our notes to make sure that we have accurately recorded what was said. After we verify our notes, the recording will be deleted. Is it ok with you if we record this interview?
- If there are any questions you don't feel comfortable answering, please let me know and we can skip them.
- The interview should last about 1 hour. Do you have any questions before we get started?
Interview Scope
- In a previous project related to complex interchanges, we found that in complex interchange configurations, some of which did not even appear complex at first glance, drivers had difficulty understanding how to complete the movements that they wanted to make.
- We also found that there were consistent patterns in how drivers interpreted the sign information, interchange markings, and geometry, and this interpretation affected how well drivers understood what to do.
- Based on these previous findings, more research could be conducted to learn about how these design elements shape driver expectations, and therefore, their success in navigating the interchange.
- The purpose of these interviews is to have discussions that lead to input on future research directions for complex interchange research.
- The output of these interviews will help to inform research plans for FHWA.
- We are focused on issues that exist from the driver's perspective (e.g., issues like inconsistent destination information rather than too many exits per mile).
- We are also focused on conducting research that will provide guidance to the technical process of designing and implementing interchange designs.
Section 1: Background Information
- 1. What is your official job title?
- 2. In a few sentences, what are your day-to-day responsibilities?
- 3. How long have you been in your current position?
- 4. How does your role fit into the design or analysis processes for interchanges?
- 5. Do you use outside consultants for human factors- or driver-related questions?
Section 2: Examples/Prior Experience with Complex Interchanges
Were you able to prepare a couple of examples regarding times where you identified and resolved (or attempted to resolve) issues with complex interchanges? If so, please tell us about the examples that you selected.
- 6. For the example that you selected:
- What was the problem?
- How did you know what the problem was (driver-based approach or crash-based approach)?
- What did you try to do to fix it?
- How well did that work?
- How did you know whether it worked or not?
- What design information (if any) would it have been nice to have, but wasn't available?
- Was there any missing information specifically related to drivers or human factors?
- How many other similar or different complex interchange projects have you completed?
- When finding these examples, what types of interchanges did you look at?
Section 3: Complex Interchanges in General
- 7. In your experience, what factors make certain interchanges more difficult for drivers to navigate?
- What factors contribute to the complexity of an interchange, from the driver's perspective?
- 8. How often do you do projects that relate to complex interchanges?
- 9. Based on your definition of interchange complexity, how many complex interchanges are in your area?
Section 4: Designing for Drivers
- 10. Do you make any assumptions about drivers, driver needs, or what drivers know when you design?
- 11. How do you identify driver information needs or driver issues at interchanges or other roadway sections?
- 12. What design fundamentals for signing and markings do you use?
- 13. How do you design signing or markings for unique interchanges where there may not be guidance in the MUTCD or other sources?
Section 5: General Feedback Regarding Research Needs
- 14. Generally, what research would help you resolve interchange design issues?
- What design information is missing?
- Where are the collective knowledge gaps?
- What conditions and challenges are you currently or frequently dealing with?