PARAMETERS AFFECTING STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE

Research was conducted to evaluate existing stopping sight distance criteria in relation to the current vehicle fleet and driver population. The research findings presented in this report are based on field tests of driver and vehicle performance characteristics and capabilities, and a synthesis of current literature and previous research findings. The general stopping sight distance (SSD) model is examined in relation to the following elements: driver eye height, obstacle height, driver perception-response time, vehicle braking distance, and initial vehicle speed. Studies show that for controlled stops from higher speeds by cars with worn tires on slippery roads the required distances are considerably greater than those allowed in the current SSD model. Comments are also made on SSD requirements for trucks under various conditions, studies of rural sites, and sensitivity analyses involving SSD and geometric design.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_270.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00775614
• 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
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Olson, P L
  • Cleveland, D E
  • Fancher, P S
  • Kostyniuk, L P
  • Schneider, L W
• Publication Date: 1984-6

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 169 p.
• Serial:
  • NCHRP Report
  • Issue Number: 270
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0077-5614

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Braking; Driver performance; Drivers; Eye; Geometric design; Hazards; Height; Mathematical models; Motor vehicles; Obstructions (Navigation); Perception; Personnel performance; Reaction time; Research; Rural areas; Slipperiness; Speed; Stopping sight distance; Tires; Traffic speed; Trucks; Vehicle performance; Vision
• Uncontrolled Terms: Criteria; Driver reaction; Models
• Old TRIS Terms: Driver perception; Driver vision
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Motor Carriers; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00388788
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-037 760
• Files: HSL, TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Oct 30 1989 12:00AM