Head-On Collisions: Appendix 5

Profiles of State and Local Implementation Efforts: Strategy 18.1 A3 (Washington Department of Transportation)

Emphasis Area
18.1-Reducing accidents involving head-on collisions

Objective
18.1 A-Keep vehicles from encroaching into opposite lane

Strategy
18.1 A3-Provide wider cross-sections on two-lane roads

Agency and Jurisdiction
Washington DOT

Problem(s) Identified
High traffic demand on two-lane roads, but inadequate ROW for building multilane facilities.

Goals and Objectives Established
Increase traffic flow without decreasing safety on high-volume two-lane roads.

Description of Strategy Implemented
Washington modified State Highway 18 to a design similar to that used in Minnesota (i.e., 14-foot lanes, buffer in the center, 10-foot paved shoulders, and design speed of up to 70 mph).

Summary of Implementation Effort
Used on one section of Highway 18.

Summary of Results
Due to very poor experience with subsequent head-on collisions, agencies are moving away from this type of design. Instead, there is experimentation with other concepts such as using the shoulders for intermittent passing zones.

Contact Person and Information
John Milton, Washington DOT, 360-705-7329, miltonj@wsdot.wa.gov