Additional Information / Summary:

This research, conducted for the Federal Highway Administration in 1983, employed a series of interdependent research methodologies, including (1) multivariate accident analysis; (2) simulation of driver/vehicle operations using HVOSM; (3) field studies of vehicle behavior on highway curves; and (4) analytical studies of specific problems involving highwy curve operations. Among the study findings are recommendations regarding the design of highway curves. The research indicated important trade-offs among curve radius, curve length, and superelevation. The value of spiral transitions was demonstrated by the studies of driver behavior. Significant path overshoot was observed at all sites, regardless of the curve radius; this behavior was also modeled by HVOSM. Studies of accidents on highway curves showed single-vehicle ran-off-road accidents to be of paramount concern. Roadside safety countermeasures were found to offer the greatest potential for mitigating both the frequency and severity of accidents on rural higway curves. Photocopy. Book, books,pavement edge drop expert, pavement edge drop off expert, work zone safety expert, construction zone safety expert, roadway hydroplaning expert, traffic engineering expert, traffic sign expert, traffic signal expert, pavement marking expert, highway safety expert