NEED FOR CENTER MARKINGS ON LOW-VOLUME RURAL ROADS
Practices used for centerline and no-passing markings on low-volume, paved rural roads were evaluated, and accident and traffic data was collected for the purpose of verifying or modifying the warrants for centerline and no-passing zone markings suggested in NCHRP (National Cooperative Highway Research Program) Report 214. The research tasks included a nationwide questionnaire survey of departments of transportation, the collection of 24-hour traffic volume data for low-volume roads, collection of accident data on paved roads stratified by ADT (average daily traffic) and type of center markings, and the analysis of traffic and accident data. The findings of the study and summarized. It was found that centerline markings did not reduce accident rates. However, a more detailed analysis indicates potential benefits for wider roads carrying higher volumes. This was true for adding center line and no-passing zone markings to roads previously marked with only a dashed center line. The data did seem to indicate lower boundaries for ADT warrants based on omitting center markings where they appear to produce significant increases in accident rates. Tentative ADT warrants for the application of both dashed centerline and no-passing zone markings are suggested. The concept of road width and minimum ADT warrants is generally consistent with current state department of transportation practice in those states that have high portions of low-volume road mileage.
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Supplemental Notes:
- 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.
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Corporate Authors:
Glennon (John C)
Overland Park, ZZ Kansas -
Authors:
- Glennon, J C
- Publication Date: 1984-3
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Appendices; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 51 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Average daily traffic; Center lines; Data analysis; Data collection; Low volume roads; Mathematical analysis; No passing zones; Pavements; Road markings; Rural highways; Safety; Surveys; Traffic control warrant; Traffic crashes; Traffic safety; Traffic volume
- Old TRIS Terms: Traffic marking
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Pavements; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00389111
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: Final Rpt.
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Nov 30 1984 12:00AM