An Open Access Journal
Table 2 Selected safety issues
From: Road safety audit on a major freeway: implementing safety improvements
Topic areas | Safety issues | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
Signage | Faded road markings | Improved road markings |
Old road markings | Removal of old road markings | |
Roadside hazards | Unprotected road equipment (lighting columns, pipes in tunnels, electrical and mechanical installations) | Installation of roadside barriers |
Short gaps between road side barriers | Extension of barriers | |
Bridge abutments and columns | Installation of safety barrier special treatment | |
Cross-sections | Variability of emergency lane width/excessive width | Constant width of emergency lane |
Stopping sight distance (ssd) | Limited ssd on horizontal curves (vegetation, guard rails, tunnel concrete wall) | Elimination of plantation (New Jersey) Improvement of road surface skid resistance Warning sign (danger)/VMS Lower speed limit Automatic speed cameras enforcement |
Decision sight distance | Restricted sight distance due to upstream horizontal/vertical curvature | Improvement of road surface skid resistance Advance warning signs Improvement of road delineation/markings Crash cushion at noses (ends of barriers) Speed limit sign Automatic speed cameras enforcement |
Driver behavior | Operating speeds exceeding speed limit in tunnels and direction choice points | Improvement of road surface skid resistance Improvement of road delineation/markings Speed limit signs in tunnels (Rumble strips before decision points) |
Encroachment on delineated areas | Use of rumble strips Advance warning signs (gantries) | |
Special considerations for vulnerable road users | Protection of motorcyclists | Addition of a skirting to road restraint systems, especially on tight curves |
Older drivers’ hesitation upstream of exit locations (lack of familiarity with the freeway and traffic safety rules/practices) | Guidance of drivers by advance signing and speed limit enforcement |