Treatment Effects and Design Guidance for High- to Low-Speed Transition Zones for Rural Highways
This paper presents the results of a study to develop improved design guidance for high- to low-speed transition zones on rural highways. The primary steps of the research included a literature review and state-of-practice review on speed reduction treatments used in transition zones and observational field studies of several transition zone treatments in the United States. The principal findings from the observation field studies are that roundabouts and transverse pavement markings increase the rate of compliance of vehicles traveling at or below the speed limit at the end of a transition zone by 15% and 20%, respectively, as compared with no treatment. Roundabouts increase the rate of compliance of vehicles traveling within 5 mph (8 km/h) of the speed limit at the end of a transition zone by 11%, compared with no treatment. The findings support previous research that indicates the need to provide additional measures through the community to maintain speed reduction downstream of the transition zone through the community. This paper also addresses several issues to be considered in the design of high- to low-speed transition zones, including definitions and site characteristics of the geographical limits or boundaries of the transition zone study area; a methodology for assessing whether a high- to low-speed transition zone has speed limit compliance or safety issues to support the need for, and the selection of, an appropriate treatment to address the issues; and guiding principles and design concepts to be considered in the design of a transition zone.
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- Summary URL:
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780309263436
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Authors:
- Gilmore, David K
- Bauer, Karin M
- Torbic, Darren J
- Kinzel, Christopher S
- Frazier, Robert J
- Publication Date: 2013
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Print
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: pp 47–57
- Monograph Title: Operational Effects of Geometrics and Access Management 2013
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Serial:
- Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
- Issue Number: 2348
- Publisher: Transportation Research Board
- ISSN: 0361-1981
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Field studies; Highway design; Road markings; Roundabouts; Rural highways; Speed control; Speed limits; Traffic speed
- Uncontrolled Terms: Transition zones
- Geographic Terms: United States
- Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01477095
- Record Type: Publication
- ISBN: 9780309263436
- Report/Paper Numbers: 13-4092
- Files: PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI
- Created Date: Mar 29 2013 9:56AM