A united effort by state and federal agencies to save more lives.
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
444 N Capitol St NW
Suite 249
Washington DC, 20001
Governors Highway Safety Association
Federal Highway Administration
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Transportation Research Board of The National Academies
National Cooperative Highway Research Program
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Elements of the Safety Plan
« Back to other goalsGoal 16 - Minimizing the Consequences of Leaving the Road
One-third of all fatalities result from vehicles leaving the road and hitting some fixed object or overturning. In addition to strategies designed to reduce the number of vehicles leaving the roadway, efforts to minimize the consequences when that happens can also reduce injuries and fatalities. Leaving the roadway in rural areas is especially threatening to life and limb, as two-thirds of fatalities registered in rural settings result from this event.
In addition to keeping vehicles on the roadway, it is important that we reduce the opportunity for vehicles to overturn or strike fixed objects when they stray and minimize injuries when they crash with a fixed object. Recommended Strategies: - Strategy 16A: Provide improved practices for the selection, installation, and maintenance of upgraded roadside safety hardware
The design of roadside safety hardware (guard rails, bridge rails, proper curb types, concrete barriers, drainage grates, etc.) can substantially affect the severity of crashes and loss of life. This initiative will translate current research findings into guidelines for improved safety hardware selection, installation, and maintenance. These guidelines will be disseminated through a variety of techniques, and programs will also be developed to improve the recognition of deficiencies and thus allow for more timely remedial action. A training program on proper installation is also needed. The cost to retrofit the entire system is staggering; however, it is conservatively estimated that a minimum annual program will yield highly cost effective, preventive safety improvements for many, many years. Related Publications:
-- Flexibility in Highway Design
-- Design Risk Analysis, Volume II: Users Guide
-- Strategic Plan for Improving Roadside Safety
-- Future Directions in Roadside Safety: Woods Hole, Massachusetts, July 27-30, 1997: sponsored by the Committee on Roadside Safety Features (A2A04), Transportation Research Board.
-- Evaluation of Performance Level Selection Criteria for Bridge Railings
-- Improved Procedures for Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Roadside Safety Features
-- Evaluation of Roadside Features to Accommodate Vans, Mini-Vans, Pickup Trucks, & 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles
-- Guidelines for the Selection, Installation, and Maintenance of Highway-Safety Features
-- Performance of Roadside Barriers
-- Improvement of the Procedures for the Safety-Performance Evaluation of Roadside Features
-- Improving the Compatibility of Vehicles and Roadside Safety Hardware
-- Severity Indices for Roadside Features
-- Washoe Valley Sign Tests
-- Development of DYNA3D Analysis Tools for Roadside Safety Applications
-- Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features (NCHRP 350 Report)
-- West Virginia's Breakaway Sign Supports
-- Roadside Improvements for Local Roads and Streets
-- Analysis of Roadside Accident Frequency and Severity and Roadside Safety Management
-- Roadside Hardware - NCHRP 350
-- Break-Away Sign Program
-- Making Safer Roads
- Strategy 16B: Implement in an environmentally acceptable manner a national effort to address hazardous trees
- Strategy 16C: Implement a national policy to reduce the hazard from roadside utility poles, particularly on two-lane rural roads
- Strategy 16D: Develop and implement guidance to improve ditches and backslopes to minimize rollover potential
- Strategy 16E: Develop and implement guidelines for safe urban streetscape design
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