INCREMENTAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FOR UNPAVED RURAL ROADS

Safety on existing unpaved rural roads is enhanced by the implementation of an incremental improvement program. Many of the unpaved rural roads worldwide have geometric deficiencies that do not conform with recognized standards and guidelines. In many instances, roadway improvements are not being completed due to the inability to fund improvements that meet the standards and guidelines. Tort liability involving unsafe roadway conditions is an increasing concern to highway agencies. Incremental improvements for unpaved rural roads is potentially an important tool for local agencies. By making incremental improvements to certain rural roads, even though these improvements are not in conformance with acceptable minimum standards, the safety of the road is enhanced. Reported here are the results of a project that used a national United States focus group to provide input into the use of incremental safety improvements on unpaved rural roads. The investigation targeted horizontal curvature as a site deficiency. The focus group was used to identify if, and what, incremental improvements should be considered. The results of this project demonstrate the need for functional sub-classifications of rural local roads, with design parameters that address the unique characteristics of these roads. Incremental improvements are an acceptable method to increase safety on unpaved rural roads and to minimize liability.

• Record URL:
  https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/20000/20100/20173/PB98113889.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=446
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Wyoming, Laramie

  Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center, 710 Garfield
  Laramie, WY  United States  82070
• Authors:
  • Calvert, E C
  • Wilson, E M
• Publication Date: 1997-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 71 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Curvature; Highway departments; Highway safety; Improvements; Rural highways; Safety; Tort liability; Unpaved roads
• Uncontrolled Terms: Horizontal curvature; Increments
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00744557
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MPC Report No 97-87
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 18 1998 12:00AM