PARKING TURNOUTS AND WAYSIDE AREAS

THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF ROADSIDE AREAS FOR USE BY MOTOR VEHICLES AND THEIR DRIVERS PRESENTS A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS OF INTEREST TO THE HIGHWAY ENGINEER, TO THE TRAVELING PUBLIC, AND TO OWNERS OF LANDS ADJACENT TO HIGHWAYS. THE ENGINEER, HARASSED BY HIGH COSTS OF NEW HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION AND OLD HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE, OFTEN WONDERS HOW MUCH EXPENDITURE, IF ANY, IS JUSTIFIED FOR OFF ROAD PARKING SPACE AND DRIVER SERVICES. THE MOTORIST, TIRED BY LONG HOURS OF DRIVING, OR FORCED TO STOP BY SERIOUS ENGINE TROUBLE, TOO OFTEN MAY LOOK IN VAIN FOR A SAFE AND CONVENIENT PLACE TO STOP OFF THE TRAVELED WAY. THE OWNER OF FARM OR RESIDENCE PROPERTY ALONG A HEAVILY TRAVELED HIGHWAY ONLY TOO OFTEN IS BEING PROVIDED WITH AN ACCELERATED EDUCATION IN THE VARIOUS FORMS OF TRESPASS BY A CONSTANTLY INCREASING NUMBER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND THEIR DRIVERS. A NATURAL RESULT OF THIS CONDITION IS THE LENGTHENING WALL OF WIRE FENCES AND "NO TRESPASSING" SIGNS ALONG MAIN HIGHWAYS IN OLDER SETTLED REGIONS. IN WILDERNESS AREAS WITHOUT DEVELOPMENT OF BORDERING LANDS THE FOREST FIRE HAZARD CAUSED BY TRAVELERS PARKING ALONG THE HIGHWAY IS OFTEN SERIOUS. THERE IS LITERALLY NO SAFE OR CONVENIENT PLACE TO STOP OFF THE ROAD SHOULDERS ON MANY HUNDREDS OF MILES OF MAIN HIGHWAYS IN THE INDUSTRIALIZED EAST OR FAR WEST EXCEPT AT COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH THE MOTORIST MAY HAVE NO NEED OR DESIRE TO PATRONIZE. /AUTHOR/

• Record URL:
  • https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/hrbroadsidedevcomrpts/1950/1950-005.pdf
• Supplemental Notes:
  • pp 64-94, 13 FIG, 2 TAB, 17 PHOT. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Gordon, G B
• Publication Date: 1950

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Serial:
  • Highway Research Board Roadside Development Committee Reports
  • Publisher: Highway Research Board

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Design; Railroad turnouts; Roadside rest areas
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Highways; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00205025
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: pp 17-19
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Dec 6 1971 12:00AM