SMALL CAR IMPACTS ON HIGHWAY DESIGN

The article notes that small cars are now a permanent-feature, and that there will be more fatal accidents if effort is not made to redesign the safety system. Vehicle dimensions and their influence on traffic lanes are discussed. Other elements of the cross section have also become more critical as a result of the smaller and lighter vehicles. Differentials in pavement-levels, pavement cracks and deterioration, superelevation transitions, horizontal curvature, are all important considerations. The dimensions of parking spaces and the European experience in this area are discussed. A pressing concern is the safety hardware along the roadside. Special problems associated with small cars are discussed, and include bumper height, clearances, end treatments, median barriers, crash cushions, sign supports, and delicate hardware. Roadside design aspects are also noted and include ditches, and side slopes.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/614107147
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Woods, D L
• Publication Date: 1983-4

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 20-24
• Serial:
  • ITE Journal
  • Volume: 53
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
  • ISSN: 0162-8178
  • Serial URL: https://www.ite.org/publications/ite-journal/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Compact automobiles; Crash cushions; Cross sections; Curvature; Ditches; Guardrails; Highway design; Median barriers; Parking; Pavement cracking; Railroad clearances; Roadside; Sign supports; Signs; Slopes; Superelevation; Traffic lanes
• Uncontrolled Terms: End treatments; Hardware; Horizontal curvature; Side slopes
• Old TRIS Terms: Clearances; Sign structures; Small car
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Vehicles and Equipment; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure; I90: Vehicles;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00378153
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-034 721
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 30 1983 12:00AM