Citation

Dolling H. Transp. Res. Rec. 1981; 805: 9.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Four pairs of safety rest areas on Iowa's Interstate Highway System were constructed and available for public use during 1966. These rest areas were built before a design guide was available. In upgrading these facilities, they had to be completely accessible to the handicapped and, in addition, were to provide additional parking, ground lighting, waste water dump for recreational vehicles, waste water pond or lagoon improvements, sidewalks to tables, rest room upgradings, additional landscaping, and general upgrading of outdated items. In the first contract, the design guide indicated that an additional parking facility was needed for 52 cars and 22 trucks at each site. This was not practical based on existing topography. The final design provided for 36 cars, 10 recreational vehicles, and 16 trucks at each site. The parking was less than desirable because of the topography. The high price tag of $1000000 for modifications was high compared with the original $250000 to construct the entire complex. The lagoons needed to be improved as part of the total contract, which originally cost $14500 to build. Due to changes in the environmental requirements, the refurbished lagoons cost $199000. In subsequent improvements, it was noted that the lagoons would require enlargement and appropriate arrangements would have to be made. An alternate solution considered was the replacement of the five conventional water closets with microphor low-water-volume toilet fixtures in each building. This was done in subsequent rest areas and water use has been reduced 45 percent or more. Rest area rehabilitation is a challenge, particularly when total costs are considered. For future rest area rehabilitation, I recommend the Federal Highway Administration Technical Advisory Publication T-5140.8 (August 10, 1979), Rest Area Design Charts, which is based on data developed by Minnesota officials. This is an excellent planning and design tool.