ENGINEERING
- Traffic Safety Engineering
- ITS Design & Integration
- MUTCD Compliance
- Speed Management
- Research & Development
Traffic Safety Engineering
Vehicular traffic crashes are responsible for about 40,000 fatalities per year in the United States. toXcel’s engineering team understands the critical role that engineering plays in improving roadway safety. Our team has conducted and played an integral role in numerous projects for local and state agencies in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, as well as federal agencies. Our experience includes contracts with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the National Highway Institute (NHI), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), and more.
toXcel staff has experience in various safety studies and analyses, including:
- Alternative intersection and safety analyses
- Bicyclist and pedestrian user safety and infrastructure evaluations
- Corridor-wide safety and countermeasure evaluations
- Guidebook development on safety topics for FHWA
In addition, toXcel staff has a wide variety of traffic engineering design and analysis capabilities. Our engineering design and analysiscapabilities include the following:
- Traffic signal design
- Signing and pavement marking design
- Work zone/maintenance of traffic design
- Traffic Impact Studies (TIS)
- Interchange justification/access approval studies
- Traffic signal studies
ITS Design & Integration
Intelligent Transporation Systems (ITS) refer to the application of advanced technologies, such asinformation and communication technologies, to transportation systems. The goal is to improve the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of transportation networks.
Our team at toXcel would be happy to help you in the following areas:
- ITS planning, design, and implementation
- On-Call Support contracts for MDTA for ITS and electrical contracts
- High Water Monitoring
- Supporting Statewide on-call contracts
- Currently, we support VDOT through two statewide ITS on-call contracts and have been involved in multiple ongoing tasks
MUTCD Compliance
A critical component of transportation safety is ensuring that drivers are presented with the information necessary to safely and efficiently navigate the roadway network. toXcel has numerous staff actively involved with the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) that have extensive knowledge in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the design and implementation of traffic control devices.
toXcel’s team has expertise in the evaluating MUTCD compliance across large roadway networks, including the analysis of advisory speed limits, historic crash data, and existing traffic control devices. This data is then utilized by toXcel staff to aid in the development of systemic countermeasure recommendations to improve safety throughout the network.
Speed Management
toXcel is a leading expert in speed management, bringing extensive experience, technical expertise, and innovative approaches to enhance roadway safety and promote safe speeds across various contexts. As the project leads for multiple Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and National Highway Institute (NHI) speed management initiatives, toXcel is at the forefront of developing resources to support state, local, and tribal agencies in implementing the latest research and best practices. toXcel has also developed Speed Management Action Plans (SMAPs) for state, local, and tribal agencies across the U.S., leveraging various data resources, stakeholder engagement strategies, and national thought leadership to pinpoint speed-related safety concerns and implement targeted, innovative speed management solutions at those locations.
toXcel provides technical and programmatic support for FHWA’s Speed Management program. The team supports tool development, case studies, and outreach, ensuring effective speed limit setting and speed management practices for jurisdictions across the U.S.
Research is another cornerstone of toXcel’s speed management capabilities.
The firm’s work includes evaluating the effectiveness of speed management tools, analyzing data to inform evidence-based practices, and developing innovative solutions to address speed-related safety issues. Toxcel specializes in researching the interplay between human factors, roadway design elements, and driver behavior to develop strategies that effectively mitigate speeding behaviors.
toXcel develops comprehensive national guidance, training materials, and web-based courses to assist agencies in adopting effective strategies for achieving safer speeds. With proven expertise across research, education, technical support, and action plan development, toXcel is a trusted partner in achieving safer speeds and reducing speed-related crashes nationwide.
Research & Development
Innovative research and tool development are critical to advancing transportation safety, efficiency, and informed decision-making. toXcel’s engineering team supports federal and state clients through research that shapes national standards, informs policy, and guides statewide implementation.
Our work includes leading projects for FHWA, VDOT, and others, with a strong emphasis on Traffic Control Devices (TCDs). We provide both programmatic and technical support to FHWA’s Traffic Control Devices Pooled Fund Study (TCD PFS), focusing on the design, evaluation, and deployment of traffic control technologies and data-driven tools.
toXcel’s research and development efforts include:
- Traffic Control Devices Pooled Fund Study General Support (FHWA): Support for program administration, project selection, and technical studies on advisory speed signs and symbol comprehension.
- Advisory Speed Sign Evaluation (FHWA): Lab and field research to inform consistent use of W13-series signage.
- Enhanced Conspicuity Treatments (FHWA): Evaluation of supplemental treatments to improve the visibility and effectiveness of signs.
- Zipper Merge Signing (FHWA): Research and testing to evaluate driver response and optimize messaging strategies.
- Symbol Sign Comprehension (FHWA): Evaluation of new and existing symbols for clarity, legibility, and effectiveness.
- MarkSMART Tool Development (VDOT): Creation of a statewide pavement marking management system using data-driven criteria for prioritization and performance tracking.
Project Highlights
High Water Monitoring System Pilot Project. Virginia, VDOT.
A variety of technologies including sensors, cameras, gates, communication devices, and power sources were considered for integration into a comprehensive high water monitoring system. These recommendations were made based on a nationwide review of state’s flood monitoring systems.