CONTACT US: Contact info
|
Citation |
Gattis JL, Varghese JP, Toothaker LE. Transp. Res. Rec. 1993; 1419: 52-62. |
|
Copyright |
(Copyright © 1993, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing) |
|
DOI |
unavailable |
PMID |
unavailable |
|
Abstract |
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma documented attributes associated with accidents in which vehicles struck guardrail ends. The data base included accidents at a variety of guardrail-end types, but most ends were either exposed or turned down. The severity of exposed and of turned-down guardrail-end accidents in relation to lateral location of the guardrail, and to vehicle rolling and vaulting, was investigated. Individual accident reports were read carefully to obtain information for the analyses. The results showed that on divided roads, vehicles struck median guardrail ends about as often as right-side ends. On undivided roadways, right-side ends were struck about 60% of the time. Approximately a sixth of the accidents were fatal or incapacitating-injury accidents. In most of them, the vehicle did not vault or roll. The research did indicate that turned-down guardrail ends were associated with more vehicle rolling and vaulting than the exposed ends. Roughly a third of all guardrail end accidents involved an inattentive driver striking a guardrail end. Most guardrail-end accidents on the state system occurred on a small portion of the system, namely the higher-volume roadways. The researchers suggested that accident reporting methods be enhanced, and that rumble strips be tested as a means to reduce guardrail-end strike accidents. If newer, more expensive end treatments were installed, concentrating efforts on a small portion of the system could address a majority of the end accident sites. Language: en |