Comparison of Methods for Determining Advisory Speeds on Horizontal Curves

Horizontal curves are an integral part of the highway alignment. However, a disproportionately high number of severe crashes occur on them (1). One method transportation agencies use to reduce the number of crashes at horizontal curves is the installation of curve warning signs which post an appropriate advisory speed. Appropriate curve advisory speeds can be determined using several methods. The purpose of this research was to find the most efficient and accurate data collection method for determining curve advisory speeds. Several processes were developed and tested, including the Curve Advisory Reporting Service (CARS), Texas Roadway Analysis and Measurement Software (TRAMS), the use of Highway Information System (HIS) data, and an ArcGIS-based manual analysis. The results of these various methods were then validated against Digital Ball-Bank Indicator (DBBI), which is a currently accepted method. Comparison and evaluation showed that CARS seemed to be the most promising new method, while the DBBI was favored as the standard. This study will allow researchers to develop advisory speeds that can assist in properly signing horizontal curves, which previous research suggests results in a safer driving experience.

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• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AHB50 Standing Committee on Traffic Control Devices. Alternate title: Development of an Improved Method for Determining Advisory Speeds on Horizontal Curves.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Green, Eric R
  • Agent, Kenneth R
  • Lammers, Erin
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 96th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2017-1-8 to 2017-1-12
• Date: 2017

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 16p
• Monograph Title: TRB 96th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Data collection; Evaluation; Highway curves; Methodology; Speed limits; Validation
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01628781
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 17-05050
• Files: PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 13 2017 9:12AM