INTERSECTION GEOMETRIC DESIGN AND OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR OLDER DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS, VOLUME II: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This project was performed to develop guidelines for changes in the geometric design and operations at intersections with the greatest potential to aid in their use by older drivers and pedestrians. A literature review identified age-related diminished capabilities that affect performance at intersections, and examined current design standards and their adequacy for older road users. Problem identification studies (accident database analysis, task analysis, focus group discussions, field observations) were conducted to better define older persons' difficulties in intersection use, and an expert panel met to prioritize variables for more extensive laboratory and field studies later in the project. These studies subsequently focused on age (including both young-old and old-old groups) and the effects of opposite left-turn lane geometry (offset amount and direction), right-turn channelization and curb radius, and varying median pedestrian refuge island configurations, using both objective (performance) and subjective measures. A critique of the data obtained in these studies during a second expert panel meeting concluded that sufficient evidence exists to support guidelines for: (1) geometric design to ensure a minimum required sight distance for drivers turning left from a major roadway, and (2) operational changes to accommodate older drivers where (re)design of an intersection to meet sight distance requirements is not feasible. In addition, a revision of Case V in the AASHTO Green Book to determine sight distance requirements that reflect the perceptual task of gap judgment by a left-turning driver more accurately than the current assumptions in Case IIIB is recommended, and further research needs to enhance the safety and mobility of older road users at intersections are identified.

• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/68084
• Supplemental Notes:
  • See also Volume I: Final Report (FHWA-RD-96-132) and Volume III: Guidelines (FHWA-RD-96-137).
• Corporate Authors:

  Scientex Corporation

  Transportation Safety Div, 1722 Sumneytown Pike, P.O. Box 1376
  Kulpsville, PA  United States  19443

  Federal Highway Administration

  Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, 6300 Georgetown Pike
  McLean, VA  United States  22101
• Authors:
  • Staplin, Loren
  • Harkey, D L
  • Lococo, K H
  • Tarawneh, M S
• Publication Date: 1997-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 30 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged; Aged drivers; Field studies; Geometric design; Guidelines; Guides to the literature; Highway operations; Intersections; Laboratory studies; Left turn lanes; Literature reviews; Mobility; Offsets (Traffic signal timing); Pedestrians; Problem identification; Research; Right turns; Sight distance; Traffic; Traffic islands; Traffic safety; Turning radius
• Uncontrolled Terms: Channelization; Pedestrian refuge islands
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Research; Safety and Human Factors; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00739025
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-96-138,, Report 1433/FR (ES),, 3A1a-0022
• Contract Numbers: DTFH61-92-C-00142
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 31 1997 12:00AM