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Volume 3, Spring 2005
Also available in PDF, safetyupdate_sp05.pdf (93 KB)
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This guide provides a single, comprehensive document with methods for evaluating the safety and operations of signalized intersections and tools to remedy deficiencies. The treatments in this guide range from low-cost measures such as improvements to signal timing and signage, to high-cost measures such as intersection reconstruction or grade separation. Topics covered include fundamental principles of user needs, geometric design, and traffic design and operation; safety and operational analysis techniques; and a wide variety of treatments to address existing or projected problems, including individual movements andapproaches, pedestrian and bicycle treatments, and corridor techniques. It also coversalternative intersection forms that improve intersection performance through the use ofindirect left turns and other treatments.Each treatment includes a discussion of safety,operational performance, multimodal issues, and physical and economic factors that thepractitioner should consider. Although the guide focuses primarily on high-volume signalized intersections, many treatments are applicable for lower volume intersections as well. The information contained in this guide is based on the latest research available on treatments and best practices in use by jurisdictions across the United States. Limited hard copies are available or the document can be downloaded at http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/04091/04091.pdf.
Since July 26, 2001, detectable warnings are once again required for hazardous vehicular ways, transit platform edges and curb ramps. Therefore, states and local governments are required to apply the minimum design standards when constructing and altering pedestrian facilities, including milling and resurfacing projects. Truncated Domes are the standard design requirement for detectable warnings for determining the boundary between the sidewalk and street by people with disabilities.
A Detectable Warnings (DW) Community of Practice (CoP) is available at http://knowledge.fhwa.dot.gov/dw. The DWCoPenables discussions related to Truncated Dome Detectable Warnings, including construction, maintenance, product evaluations, research, regulatory issues, related technologies - such as pedestrian Accessible Signals - as well as act as a central website for related documents.
Save the Date...October 6th - 7th
Westin Inn, Princeton, NJ
Audience:
County & Municipal Engineers & Planners
Topics:
Crash Data
Safety Projects/Programs
Traffic Engineering
Low Cost Countermeasures
Local Safety Program
Email additional topic suggestions to nj.safety@fhwa.dot.gov
Driving Down Deaths Through Engineering, Education & Enforcement
The US Department of Transportation's Intelligent Transportation System Program has identified several intelligent infrastructure technologies related to crash prevention and safety. These technologies include road geometry warning systems (i.e. ramp rollover, curve speed warning, downhill speed warning, overheight/overwidth warning) highway-rail crossing systems, intersection collision warning, pedestrian safety, bicycle warning systems, and animal warning systems. Additional information on these technologies, as well as costs, benefits, deployment statistics and lessons learned can be found at http://www.benefitcost.its.dot.gov. In addition to obtaining information at this website, you can also contribute data and other relevant resources pertaining to the subject.
Example...Intersection Collision Warning System (ICWS)
The ICWS approach consists of two types of traffic-actuated warning signs linked to pavement loops and a traffic signal controller. Drivers approaching the intersection on a major through road are given a warning - a flashing car symbol - when there is a vehicle prepared to enter the intersection from the cross street. At the same time, drivers waiting at the stop signs on the minor street approach are given a "crossing traffic" alert - with an animated car symbol - when the traffic is approaching along the major approach from either direction. This system was specifically designed to address the intersection of a major road and a stop sign controlled cross street. An evaluation of this technology was conducted and the data and analysis support the conclusion that safer traffic operations resulted from the installation and continued operation of the Collision Countermeasure System. According to a survey of 46 states,
this technology has been implemented at 59 locations across four states.
This manual, an initiative of the World Road Association's Road Safety Committee, is designed to give highway engineers a better understanding of the impact that infrastructure has on road safety at all phases of design and operations. The first part of the manual is an introduction to road safety, the second part describes a complete road safety improvement process, the third part details the relationship between safety and a variety of road components and the fourth part explains how to conduct various technical studies. The quantity and quality of information in this manual makes it a substantial reference on various infrastructure related aspectsthat have an impact on road safety.
The FHWA is sponsoring a Pedestrian Safety Forum for the Mid-Atlantic region (PA, NJ, DE, MD, WV, DC, VA) on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 in Newark, DE. Topics to be addressed include:
Additional information will be forthcoming. If you are interested in receiving registration related information, email nj.safety@fhwa.dot.gov.
To be added to the distribution list for future editions of this newsletter, please email nj.safety@fhwa.dot.gov.
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