Citation

Neuman TR, Glennon JC. Transp. Res. Rec. 1983; 923: 26-34.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1983, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Stopping-sight distance (SSD) is one of the most significant design features of highways. The treatment of locations that have deficient sight distance is generally costly and difficult because most such deficiencies involve basic problems with horizontal or vertical geometry. An attempt was made to systematically evaluate the cost'effectiveness of spot improvements of SSD'deficient locat' tions. A fiamework was established for classifying the accident potential of such locations. Countermeasures to treat sight'distance problems on both rural and urban highways were proposed. Their implementation costs and hypothetical safety benefits were evaluated in order to discover any potential cost-effective improvements. Despite conservative assumptions about safety, the research indicated that only relatively inexpensive countermeasures hold the potential for cost-effectiveness. A greater potential for cost-effectiveness bias indicated when improvements are made in conjunction with a planned rehabilitation or reconstruction program.


Safe stopping-sight distance (SSD) is one of the rnost significant design features of híghways. Potentially serious safety problems are created by short vertical curves or by roadside obstructions on the inside of sharp horizontal curves. Althouqh it is easy to iilentify highway sections with defic,ient SSD, treatnent of the problem is ilifficult. Most síght-distance deficiencies are create¿l by geometric deficiencies that are costly to correct.


A cost-effectiveness analysis for treating exist- ing sight-distance deficiencies is presentecl in this paper. A ratíonal approach was used that relied on publishecl accident research and knowledge gaineil frorn an FHWÀ research contract, effectiveness of Design Criteria for Geonetric E1ements." À frame-work was established to classify SSD problems by their potential impacts on safety.


Counterneasuies to treat sight-distance problerns were developed, and estimates of their effectiveness were nacle. By conparing the cost's of iinpleinenting these counterneasures with the safety benefits derived from hypothesized accident redluction...

Record URL:

http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1983/923/923-005.pdf

Language: en

Keywords

HIGHWAY ENGINEERING; HIGHWAY SYSTEMS - Accident Prevention