INFORMATION DEFICIENCIES ON LOW-VOLUME RURAL ROADS

A description is provided of portions of a Federal Highway Administration study. The objectives of the study were to identify driver information needs on two-lane rural highways; identify potential driver problems that can be alleviated by way of low-cost information treatments; and develop a simple procedure that can be used by state and local personnel to identify information deficiencies on low-volume roadways for which adequate accident data are not available. As part of this study a 5,000-mi, 15-state sample of roadway and informational characteristics was obtained by use of a microprocessor-based, instrumented vehicle. The data base provided insights into the nature of existing informational problems and, by way of extrapolation, an estimate of the magnitude of informational deficiencies. Estimates are presented of the nationwide scope of informational problems at horizontal curves, narrow bridges, and intersections, which are the three primary features of the two-lane rural roadway system that are associated with higher accident rates. The field data collection and problem identification activities provided the basis for the development of a simple, in-vehicle procedure that can be used by state and county engineers, road supervisors, and others to identify problem sites and determine the appropriate remedial informational treatments. The procedure involves the consideration of driver expectancies; a form of commentary driving to identify problem sites; and the application of situation-specific information deficiency checklists to determine the appropriate remedial treatment.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1987/1106v2/1106v2-026.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=INFORMATION+DEFICIENCIES+ON+LOW-VOLUME+RURAL+ROADS&author=R.+Hostetter&author=K.+Crowley&publication_year=1987
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309044545
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appeared in Transportation Research Record N1106, Fourth International Conference on Low-Volume Roads, Volume 2. 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:
  • Hostetter, Robert S
  • Crowley, Kenneth W
• Conference:
  • International Conference on Low Volume Roads, 4th, 1987, Ithaca, New York, USA
• Publication Date: 1987-8

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 217-225
• Monograph Title: FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LOW-VOLUME ROADS. VOLUME 2
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1106
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data collection; Driver information systems; Geometric curves; Intersections; Low volume roads; Narrow bridges; Needs assessment; Rural highways; Traffic control
• Uncontrolled Terms: Horizontal curvature
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00473152
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309044545
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Sep 30 1987 12:00AM