EDGELINE WIDTHS AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

A study was made to determine whether the more expensive wide edgelines are cost beneficial in terms of reducing edgeline-related accidents. A separate and limited evaluation was also conducted to determine the effects of 4-in and 8-in edgelines on drivers' performance in an uncontrolled environment. Within the curve, the measure of performance was the frequency of encroachment (i.e., tires touching or going over) either the centerline, edgeline, or both. It was found that 8-in edgelines are not cost effective for installation on 2-lane rural roads in those areas where there is frequent heavy snowfall and the use of deicing materials and abrasives tends to deteriorate edgelines, or where pavement widths are less than or equal to 22 feet. They are also not cost-effective where roads have paved shoulders over 6 ft wide. It is noted that 8-in edgelines may be appropriate as a safety improvement when applied at spot locations such as isolated horizontal curves and approaches to narrow bridges.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1586080
• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Lum, H S
  • Hughes, W E
• Publication Date: 1990-6

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 153-159
• Serial:
  • Public Roads
  • Volume: 54
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Federal Highway Administration
  • ISSN: 0033-3735
  • Serial URL: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/
• Publication flags:

  Open Access (libre)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge approaches; Cost effectiveness; Curves (Geometry); Deicers (Equipment); Driver performance; Drivers; Edge lines; Personnel performance; Road markings; Striping; Traffic crashes; Two lane highways; Width
• Uncontrolled Terms: Deicers; Horizontal curvature
• Old TRIS Terms: Traffic marking
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Vehicles and Equipment; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00495261
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 31 1990 12:00AM