GRADE SEVERITY RATING SYSTEM

The grade severity rating system (GSRS) developed by the Federal Highway Administration which could help reduce the incidence and severity of truck downgrade accidents is discussed. The GSRS is based on brake temperature, and considers gross truck weight in conjunction with the percent downgrade and truck downgrade braking length to develop recommended descent speeds. The recommended speeds for different categories of truck weight are presented to the truck drivers by the 'weight specific speed' (WSS) sign. This GSRS concept was tested at a number of actual downgrades and was determined to give a favorable before-and-after effect at most tested high-severity sites. Details of the use of the GSRS Model are described, and important GSRS and WSS issues are discussed.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/614107147
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Bowman, B L
  • Coleman, J A
• Publication Date: 1990-7

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 19-24
• Serial:
  • ITE Journal
  • Volume: 60
  • Issue Number: 7
  • Publisher: Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
  • ISSN: 0162-8178
  • Serial URL: https://www.ite.org/publications/ite-journal/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Before and after studies; Brakes; Braking; Downgrades (Roads); High risk locations; Highway grades; Motor vehicles; Safety; Speed; Traffic crashes; Traffic safety; Traffic speed; Trucks; Trucks by weight; Weight
• Old TRIS Terms: Downgrade; Grade severity rating; Truck brakes
• Subject Areas: Highways; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I80: Accident Studies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00497424
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM