An Agency Approach to Analyze and Improve a Photometric Device Test Procedure Using Design of Experiments Methodology

• Other Authors: Ramalingam, Sivam (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Industrial engineering; Manufacturing processes
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-2139

Proper function of traffic photometric devices such as traffic signal modules is crucial for safe operation in the traffic environment. The Traffic Engineering Research Lab (TERL) of Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has a significant role in ensuring that these devices perform in accordance to specified standards at all times. Therefore it is necessary that this lab is equipped with the right kind of test facility and procedures, thus enabling device performance verification be done periodically in addition to new device qualifications. The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) specification is used as one of the governing documents. This research will describe an investigation performed upon the test procedure for light emitting diode (LED) signal modules. The purpose of the investigation was to identify variability in procedure activities and to determine the overall test procedure primarily using design of experiments methodology and other statistical analysis approaches. Data analysis by this methodology was essential to characterize process variability because the test procedure execution requires management of six input factors which were not previously tested for significance. Findings from this work are also used to recommend to the lab management on issues about potential facility upgrades. Recommendations were also provided to the ITE to explore the validity of their data from statistical perspective. This research improved the test procedure for testing LED signal modules which will permit further determination of other photometric devices test procedures. === A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Industrial Engineering in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Science. === Summer Semester, 2006. === July 10, 2006. === Test Procedure, Design of Experiments, LED Signal Module, Spectrascan Colorimeter === Includes bibliographical references. === James R. Simpson, Professor Directing Thesis; Joseph J. Pignatiello, Jr., Committee Member; Okenwa Okoli, Committee Member.