Managing Time And Space

Using the ABC’s of Zone Control

Vermont Driver & Traffic Safety Education Association Driver Risk Prevention Curriculum

Vermont Department of Education�Driver Education Programs

Every 1 or 2 Seconds

• Drivers make new decisions every 1 or 2 seconds
• Decisions directly related to speed & position
• Good decisions are based on good information and accurate perceptions
• Bad decisions are the result of too little information or inaccurate perceptions

Use the ABC’s of Zone Control

Make Good Decisions

Effectively Manage Time & Space

The ABC’s of Zone Control

A = Alert Switch On!

FIND changes to your line-of-sight &/or path-of-travel. Look for open and closed zones.

B = Before Acting – SOLVE the problem

Check other related zones for options

C = Create Time and Space Management Choose Best Vehicle CONTROL Option

Best speed

Best position

Communication

Zone Control�Space Management Principles

• Use acceleration, steering and braking controls in such a manner as to achieve a smooth balance of the vehicle.
• When the front zone is closed, adjust speed to arrive into an open zone.
• When making turns and lane changes, use the least amount of space.
• While operating within a targeting path, keep the most open space away from the worst problem.

Zone Control�Space Management Principles

• When following a vehicle, keep four seconds of space.
• When stopped in traffic be able to see the rear tires of the car in front touching the pavement.
• Time your arrival to have at least one open side zone.
• When approaching curves, evaluate to see if a speed reduction is needed to gain the best traction.

Zone Control �Space Management Principles

• When approaching a curve, use lane positioning to best separate from traffic and to best see into the curve.
• Approach a hill crest in LP 1. Evaluate left-front zone and know if LP 3 is available as an escape option.
• Anytime lane position one is required, reduce speed.
• Reduce speed as open space to the left, front, or right decreases.

A: Find – Target Area Range

• Use Four Step Searching
• Evaluate Targeting Path
• Find LOS-POT Blockage

B. C. Solve – 15 Sec. Range

• Check Alternate Path & Other Zones
• Best Speed, Position & Comm.

B. C. Control – 4 Sec. Danger Zone

• Be Certain Your solution Still Works
• Reach the PONR Under Your Control

B.

Check Other

Zones for

Options

A.

Evaluate

Targeting Path

LOS-POT

C.

Get The

Best Speed,

Positioning,

Comm.

Search

Target Area

to FIND LOS-POT

Blockage

​

Use Zone Control to

A: Find

• Use Four Step Searching
• Evaluate Targeting Path
• Find LOS-POT Blockage

B. C. Control

• Be Certain Your solution Still Works
• Reach the PONR Under Your Control

B. C. Solve

• Check Alternate Path & Other Zones
• Best Speed, Position & Comm.

Step A of Zone Control

• Four Step Searching
• Evaluate Targeting Path
• Find LOS-POT Blockages

​

​

FIND

Target Area Range

Steps B & C of Zone Control

• Check other zones for alternate path of travel
• Check opposite zone
• Solve LOS-POT Blockage by Getting the best:

Speed Control, Lane Position, Communications

15 Second Range

SOLVE

Steps B & C of Zone Control

• Be Certain your solution still works
• Reach the PONR under your control

4-Second

Danger Zone

CONTROL

FIND

• Search to Target Area
• Search Targeting Path
• Search Left-Front Zone
• Search Right-Front Zone

USE FOUR STEP

Searching Pattern

1

2

3

4

A. FIND

​

Targeting Path

​

15 Sec.

Target Area

A. FIND

​

Targeting Path

​

15 Sec.

Target Area

A. FIND

• LOS Curve
• Closed Right Front Van LOS-POT

B. SOLVE

Check Other Zones

Open Zones

C. SOLVE

Choose Best Speed, Lane Position

Reduce Speed LP-2

C. Control

Get Best Speed, Lane Position

Reduce Speed Move to LP-2

Under Van

See Space In Front

Brake lights.

School Crossing

CONTROL

4 – Second

Danger Zone

Were speed reduction & LP–2 good choices? Explain. Are they still good choices?

Search 45° to the front of the van. What could be concealed?

Reevaluate: Do your lane position and speed control choices still work for Van, SUV & crosswalk?

For the hill crest & curve?

Right Curve

Hill Crest

15 Second

Range

LOS-POT’s?

SOLVE

CONTROL

PONR

2 Sec. From

Van Front

CONTROL

PONR

Point-of-no-return is measured in seconds.

How many seconds?

2 Seconds

The front of the van is only 2 seconds away. We have reached the PONR. If a child runs into the street at this point, we could not stop the car to prevent hitting that child. LP-2 gives us the best view

Speed control and lane position options are critical decisions. Make them early. Reevaluate, make sure they still work.

Use the ABC’s

Manage Time & Space

Scenario One

• Target Area?
• Target Path?
• Left Front?
• Right Front?

• Target Area?
• Target Path?
• Left Front?
• Right Front?

25 mph

FIND

Alert Switch On!

Are Conditions Closed? Open? Changing?

25 mph

25 mph

SOLVE

What Other Zones Will You Check?

Best Speed? Position? Communication?

What position will you stop in at the intersection you are approaching?

Best Speed? Position? Communication?

What position will you stop in at the intersection you are approaching?

25 mph

SOLVE

Describe elements of 4-second danger zone.

Do your speed & position choices give you best control in the 4-second zone?

Describe elements of 4-second danger zone.

Do your speed & position choices give you best control in the 4-second zone?

25 mph

CONTROL

Manage Time & Space �

Scenario Two

FIND

FIND

• Front?
• Target Path?
• Left Front?
• Right Front?

SOLVE

SOLVE

What Other Zones Will You Check?

Best Speed? Lane Position? Communication?

Best Speed? Lane Position? Communication?

SOLVE

Describe elements of 4-second danger zone.

How will you gain the best control?

Describe elements of 4-second danger zone.

How will you gain the best control?

CONTROL

Manage Time & Space �

Scenario Three

30 mph

30 mph

CONTROL

What LP gives you best view, best control of this intersection LOS?

4-sec. Danger Zone

FIND

FIND

• Front?
• Target Path?
• Left Front?
• Right Front?

SOLVE

SOLVE

What Other Zones Will You Check?

SOLVE

Best Speed? LP? Communication?

CONTROL

CONTROL

Get Best Speed, Lane Position

Control Intersection in Left Front Zone

Manage Time & Space �

Scenario Four

​

• Front zone?
• Targeting path
• Left Front?
• Right Front?

​

• Front zone?
• Targeting path
• Left Front?
• Right Front?

You plan to continue straight ahead at the traffic light. Your speed is 25 mph

FIND

• Front Zone Closed POT, Red Light, Right Turn Only
• Targeting Path Closed POT, RR Tracks, Lane Ends
• Left Front Zone Closed POT Stopped Traffic, Red Light
• Right Front Zone Closed POT Sidewalk

• Front Zone Closed POT, Red Light, Right Turn Only
• Targeting Path Closed POT, RR Tracks, Lane Ends
• Left Front Zone Closed POT Stopped Traffic, Red Light
• Right Front Zone Closed POT Sidewalk

You plan to continue straight ahead at the traffic light. Your speed is 25 mph

FIND

What Related Zones Will You Check For Options?

What Related Zones Will You Check For Options?

You plan to continue straight ahead at the traffic light. Your speed is 25 mph

SOLVE

Yes! Rear, Left Rear and Blind Spot

Yes! Rear, Left Rear and Blind Spot

You plan to continue straight ahead at the traffic light. Your speed is 25 mph

SOLVE

Speed Option?

Position Option?

Communication Option?

Speed Option?

Position Option?

Communication Option?

Your Blindspot is Open

SOLVE

Get Best Speed Control, Lane Position & Communicate

Get Best Speed Control, Lane Position & Communicate

That’ Managing Time & Space Using the

ABC’s

Of Zone Control