1. Virginia Department of Education
Module Four
Using a Space Management System While Interacting with Traffic

2. Virginia Department of Education
Module Four
Using a Space Management System While Interacting with Traffic
Topic 1 Assessing and Managing Risk
Topic 2 Components of a Space Management System
Topic 3 Using the SEEiT Space Management System
Topic 4 Moving the Vehicle
Topic 5 Turnabouts and Parking

3. What is Risk?
Driving Risk is the potential that a chosen action (e.g., speeding, texting, etc.,) may lead to an undesirable outcome.
Choices have Consequences

4. Assessing and Managing Risk
To properly assess a specific risk, you need to have some idea of the potential outcomes.
For example, if you are a distracted driver, your potential for being involved in a crash increases 4 to 9 times. (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 2008)

5. What is Risk Assessment?
Drivers must have the ability to:
Identify a potentially dangerous situation
Prepare to take action to avoid a conflict
Consider your options and the potential consequences of your actions

6. Consequences of Risky Driving Behaviors
Taking unnecessary risks may result in property damage, injury or death, and other losses
Injury to you or others - permanent or life-threatening,
Damage to personal property, and
Loss such as financial loss, loss of license, loss of convenience, loss of time, and other losses.

7. Risk-Taking Behaviors Cause Crashes
Very often drivers actually create the high risk situations they become involved in!
Speeding is the number one cause of crashes in Virginia
Speeding is driving above the posted speed or driving too fast for conditions
Do speed limits improve public safety?

8. Assessing and Managing Risk
Risk is always present…
Never risk more than you can afford to lose
Do not risk a lot for a little
Consider the odds and your situation

9. Tools to Reduce Driving Risks
Communicate
Change Speed and/or
Change Position

10. What is a Space Management System? Assess, Action Step, Evaluate
A space management system helps drivers organize information into meaningful categories so decisions can be made easily and quickly
Drivers must evaluate potential risk using the principles of probability (will it happen?) and consequence (what will be gained or lost?)

11. Managing the Space Around Your Vehicle
Drivers must manage all six zones around the vehicle, and adjust position to maintain a safe margin of space that provides room to steer in an emergency
Right-Front Zone
Right-Rear Zone 3 5
Front Zone
Rear Zone 1 6
Left-Rear Zone
Left-Front Zone 2 4

12. Open, Closed and Changing Zones
A Zone can be OPEN, CLOSED or CHANGING
OPEN — An open zone is a space where you can drive without restriction
CLOSED — The space or area is not available in the vehicle’s path of travel
CHANGING — An open zone changes to a closed zone or a closed zone becomes an open zone

13. Using a Space Management System
Closed
ZONE
Right-Rear Zone
Changing ZONE
Check Rear
Move Here
Changing ZONE
Closed
ZONE
Check Rear
Check Side
Open
Open ZONE
Check Side
Evaluate your options and then take action
OPEN — this zone that has no restrictions to the line of sight or path of travel.
CLOSED — this zone not available
CHANGING — it was an open zone that is changing to a closed zone.

14. Controlling Space
Drivers have the most control over the space directly in front
of the vehicle
2-Second - Following Distance is effective at speeds under 35 mph
3-Second - Following Distance may provide enough time for evasive steering maneuver on dry surfaces or to brake at speeds up to 45 mph
4-Second - Following Distance provides time to steer out of a problem on dry surfaces and brake out of a problem at speeds up to 70 mph

15. Measuring Your Following Distance
Begin counting when rear of the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object
one-thousand-one one-thousand-two one-thousand-three, and…

16. Measuring Your Following Distance
ESTABLISH FOLLOWING DISTANCE when you reach the fixed object
one-thousand-four

17. Increase Following Distance When
Visibility is limited
Traction is limited
Number of visual and mental tasks increases
being tailgated
line of sight restriction
path of travel restriction
carrying a heavy load or pulling a trailer
learning to drive

18. Stopping Behind Another Vehicle
Why do you stop in a position that you can see the
rear tires of the vehicle in front?
See tires

19. Managing the Space to the Rear
Check rearview mirrors:
Regularly
Before and while braking
While stopped in traffic
Before and after making turns
Before and after a lane change
Can you control the space behind you?

20. Managing the Space to the Sides
Strive to keep one of the side zones open
Respond to an oncoming vehicle by slightly adjusting lane position to increase space between your vehicle and the oncoming vehicle
Adjust lane position to increase space between your vehicle and parked cars, bicyclists, pedestrians, etc.

21. Component of a Space Management Systems
Perception/Reaction/Response Time
Perception Time
Time it takes to identify a risk
Average perception time varies with the circumstances
Reaction Time
Time it takes to respond with accelerator, brake, or steering
Average reaction time is ¾ second
Response Time
Total time it takes to complete the action

22. Factors Affecting Response Time
Distractions
Inattention
Poor Visibility
Line of Sight Restrictions
Fatigue
Medications
Alcohol
Illness
Age
Talking on Cell Phone
Others?

23. Virginia’s Space Management System
SEE iT!
Search
Evaluate
Execute
in Time

24. Virginia Space Management System
SEEiT
Search— the entire scene in your line of sight/path of travel for potential risks, and if during your search you identify a risk you
Evaluate —it by determining if and where possible points of conflict may occur, and then
Execute —your decision as how to best manage the risk by adjusting speed and/or position
in Time – to avoid the conflict

25. Search in SEEiT Know when, where and what to look for
Search far ahead, to the sides, to the rear
Search for clues: intersections, brake lights, warning signs, traffic lights, other vehicles, pedestrians, animals, parked cars, etc.,
Search for changes in front wheels of other vehicles, movement from the side, etc.

26. Search in SEEiT
Search intersections, crosswalks, shopping centers, parking lots, construction areas and playgrounds
When driving in rural areas search for hidden intersections and driveways, curves, hills and varying road conditions
Search for trucks and other oversized vehicles, as well as slow moving farm vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, etc.

27. Search
Search at least seconds ahead to your target area which allows
time to identify and evaluate potential problems
time to execute your plan (adjust position, speed)

28. Searching and Time
Is there a potential for conflict in the example below?
You are the driver of the red car traveling at 55mph.
The motorcyclist is traveling at 50mph.
The blue car is traveling at 60mph.
The search process consists of the three ranges:
- 4 to 8-second range—Immediate Action Required!
- 12 to 15-second range— look for Escape Routes
- 20 to 30 second range—Search for open path of travel
4 to 8
seconds
20 to 30
12 to 15

29. Evaluate Gives meaning to your search
Identifies where the possible points of conflict may occur
Determines how the conflict may affect you if it does happen

30. Evaluating Risk in the Driving Environment
Is the traffic light a stale green light?
Will the zone I’m entering be open or closed?
What lane position is the safest?
What is the other driver going to do?
Is the driver texting?
Is there more than one way to manage this risk?
Where will the point of conflict occur?

31. Evaluating Risk in the Driving Environment
Where is the escape route?
Will someone run the light?
Will a pedestrian enter the roadway?
Is there sufficient traction available?
Is the driver in the vehicle behind me paying attention?
Will a door of one of these parked cars open?
Will a squirrel or deer run onto the road?

32. What would you do in this situation?
Execute in Time
You identified a possible conflict developing between you and the blue car
This conflict will happen because the blue car traveling 60 mph is going faster than the motorcycle which is traveling at 50 mph
The blue car may cross into your path of travel to overtake the motorcycle
What would you do in this situation?

33. Virginia Space Management System
Execute In Time!
As the lane change occurred you had two options:
slow down and allow the blue car to proceed into zone 1
or change your position and move into the open zone 2

34. Execute in Time
Without proper searching, evaluating (decision making skills), you may execute the wrong decision

35. Moving Straight Back Make proper adjustments
Start the vehicle with foot on the brake
Shift to reverse
Assume the straight backing position
Left hand at 12 o’clock
Looking over right shoulder
Backing

36. Backing Straight Check traffic to front, sides and rear
Select a target
Gradually release brake pressure
Move slowly
Accelerate gradually
Cover the brake when needed
Backing

37. Backing & Turning Signal
Readjust seat position according to direction that you turn wheel
Right Side/Left Side
Establish visual target
Use reference points to determine when to start turning steering wheel
Turn the wheel in the direction you want the back of the vehicle to go
Monitor “swing” of front of vehicle

38. Entering Roadway Tasks
Check Ahead
Check Left
Review pre-drive tasks
Start the vehicle
Shift to drive
Release park brake
Check traffic and signal
Move to first available lane by
Targeting center lane Position 1
Cancel Signal
Accelerate gradually to the flow of traffic
Check Over Shoulder
Check Mirror

39. Moving to Curb/Side of Road
Check Ahead
Check traffic
Signal intentions
Visually target destination
Use reference points to position vehicle 6 – 12 inches from curb
Secure the vehicle
Check Over Shoulder
Check Mirror
Check Behind

40. Turnabouts
If you miss an address or building and you do not have the option of driving around the block…
Types of Turnabouts
Two-point turn:
Pull into driveway on right side
Pull into driveway on left side
 Three-point turn
 U-turn
Midblock
At an intersection

41. Turnabouts Minimize risk by:
being sure local laws permit a turnabout — look for any signs prohibiting the turn
making sure you have at least 500 feet of visibility in each direction
being sure you have enough space and time to complete the turn safely
never making a turnabout near or on hills and curves
checking continually for other traffic and pedestrians — check all zones around your vehicle NO U
Turns
LEFT

42. Backing into driveway on the right side
Two-Point Turnabouts
Backing into driveway on the right side
One method is to back into a driveway on the right side 1
1. Check traffic flow Signal, and position yourself 2-3 feet from curb Drive beyond the driveway and stop ; shift to reverse, monitor intended path 2. Back slowly, turning steering wheel rapidly to the right as you enter driveway Straighten wheels, centering car in driveway and stop with the wheels straight 3. Signal left and exit driveway when the way is clear 2 3

43. Pulling into driveway on the left side
Two-Point Turnabouts
Pulling into driveway on the left side
1. Check traffic flow
Signal and position your vehicle to 3-6 inches from center yellow line
When traffic is clear, drive into the driveway and stop
Shift to reverse, monitor intended path
2. Back slowly, turning steering wheel rapidly to the right as you exit driveway
Straighten wheels, centering car in roadway
3. Shift into drive - Check traffic and accelerate to normal speed 1 2 3

44. Three-Point Turnabouts2 4 1 3 5
Three-point turns are also called Y-turns, and are an option if no driveway is available, traffic is light, you cannot drive around the block, or the available space prevents a U-turn
This is the most dangerous turnabout!

45. Three-Point Turnabouts2 1 3 5
Stop close to the right edge or curb
Search for a 20- to 30-second gap, signal a left turn
Move slowly forward while turning the steering wheel rapidly to the left
when the front wheels are almost to the curb, stop — Check traffic left and right
Shift the vehicle into reverse and, while slowly backing up, turn the wheel to the right
Shift into drive — Check traffic — Signal your intent and accelerate to normal speed

46. U-Turn Turnabouts Mid-Block U-Turn 3 52 4 1 3 5
Make sure local and state law permits this type of turnabout
A midblock U-turns require a wide space
This is a high-risk turnabout

47. U-Turn at an Intersection
U-Turn Turnabouts
U-Turn at an Intersection
When making a U-turn at an intersection, begin the U-turn in the left lane closest the center line or median
Complete the turn in the lane farthest to the right in the opposite flow of traffic, and accelerate to the appropriate speed 1 5

48. No Parking! Within 20 feet of an intersection
Within 15 feet of the entrance to a fire, ambulance or Rescue squad station
Within 500 feet of where fire trucks or equipment are stopped answering an alarm
Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant

49. Angle Parking Parking diagonally to the curb
Signal intention, position vehicle three to four feet away from the space
Move forward until side view mirror appears to align with the first pavement line
Visually target the middle of the space and move slowly turning the wheel sharply
Once front enters space, gradually begin unwinding the steering wheel while monitoring the vehicles parked on either side

50. Exiting Angle Parking Space
Place foot on brake, signal intention, shift to reverse, search path of travel
Back until your vehicle’s front seat is even with the back of the space, and begin turning the steering wheel in the direction you want the rear to go
Constantly monitor the front bumper on the opposite side of the direction you are turning
Back into the closest lane; shift to drive and move forward

51. Perpendicular Parking - Entering
1. Signal intention and position the vehicle five to six feet away from the space 2. Move forward until the side mirror appears to align with the first line of the space 3. Turn the wheel rapidly in the direction of the space controlling speed 4. Steer towards a target in center of the space and straighten the wheels 5. Position the front bumper three to six inches from the curb or end of the space
target

52. Perpendicular Parking - Exiting
Place foot on brake, signal direction of turn, shift to reverse, search area to the rear/sides
Back until your side mirror is even with the bumper of the vehicle located to the side, begin turning the steering wheel in the direction you want to go
Monitor the rear and your front bumper on the opposite side of the direction you are turning
When the front bumper clears the back of the vehicle, stop, and shift to Drive

53. Parallel Parking on a Two-Way Street
STEP 1
Select a space that is at least five feet longer than your vehicle
Flash your brake lights , put on your turn signal as you approach the space, and monitor rear traffic
Place your vehicle approximately three feet from the vehicle you want to park behind, aligning your rear bumper with the other vehicle's bumper
Put the vehicle into reverse and turn the wheels all the way to the right

54. Parallel Parking on a Two-Way Street
STEP 2
Slowly back up until you are at a 45-degree angle using your side view mirror, back until you can see the headlight closest to the curb of the vehicle behind to establish the 45-degree angle
Stop

55. Parallel Parking on a Two-Way Street
Step 3
Turn the wheels all the way to the left
Slowly back up monitoring the right front fender until you are parallel with and within 12 inches of the curb.

56. Parallel Parking – Exiting the Space
Back-up as far as you can go without touching the vehicle behind and signal
Turn your wheels all the way to the left and shift to Drive
Check traffic and make sure your right front fender will clear the rear of the vehicle in front of you
Turn wheels slowly to the right when your side view mirror aligns with the bumper of the vehicle ahead
Select target in your path of travel and gently accelerate

57. Parking on a Hill - Facing Downhill
Parking with or without a curb
Position your vehicle 6” from the curb
Let the car move slowly forward while turning the steering wheel sharply to the right until the right front tire rests against the curb
Shift into “P” (Park) if your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission or into REVERSE gear for a manual transmission
Engage the parking brake 

58. Parking on a Hill – Uphill with No Curb
Parking Uphill
with NO Curb
Drive as far off the roadway onto the shoulder as possible and stop
Turn wheels away from traffic
Shift into “P” (Park) automatic transmission, or into FIRST gear for a manual transmission
Engage the parking brake

59. Parking Uphill – With a Curb
Uphill Parking
with a Curb
Position your vehicle 6” from the curb and stop
Turn your steering wheel away from curb and let the vehicle move slowly back until the back of the front tire touches the curb
Shift into “P” (Park) if your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission or FIRST with a manual transmission  
Engage the parking brake