ATSSA: Improving Driver Behavior with Infrastructure Safety Countermeasures

10 Improving Driver Behavior with Infrastructure Safety Countermeasures CASE 4: In Work Zones N ot only do the driving conditions of work zones differ from normal driving conditions, but the complexity of roadway work zones differs between locations based on the construction or maintenance activity (short-term, long-term, lane closures, shoulder closures). Advance warning signs alert drivers of an upcoming work zone. Arrow boards identify lane closures and inform drivers of required merging maneuvers. Traffic control devices such as signs, pavement markings, barriers, drums, and tubular markers guide drivers along the correct path and assist them to maintain their vehicles in the appropriate lane through the entire work zone. Well-maintained devices that are clean, retroreflective, positioned appropriately, and free from damage and wear and tear provide better guidance to drivers, particularly during nighttime or adverse weather conditions. Unquestionably, the better guidance afforded drivers helps reduce the potential for collisions before, within, and after work zones. Speed-feedback display signs immediately alert drivers if they are driving too fast. These signs typically light up if the vehicle speed is 5 miles per hour (or a set speed) over R oadway-departure crashes represent a significant safety concern, particularly in rural locations and at night. Although many of these crashes are single-vehicle run- off-the-road crashes, they also include vehicles that leave their lane and crossover into oncoming traffic. During Figure 14. Longitudinal channelizers in Washington, D.C. (Image: Plastic Safety Systems Inc.) Figure 15. Yellow spray thermoplastic edge lines being applied to an interstate highway near Raleigh, N.C. (Image: ATSSA Pavement Marking Division) the posted speed limit. Furthermore, pavement markings define the area of travel through a work zone for drivers, thereby separating vehicles between lanes and from nonmotorized users. Longitudinal guidance is also provided with drums and delineators, the spacing of which can be increased or decreased depending upon the degree of driver guidance required. ■ CASE 5: Brighter, Wider, High-Visibility Pavement Markings reduced visibility, nighttime, and in wet weather, drivers require additional assistance in identifying and maintaining their travel lane to drive confidently and safely. Effective pavement markings significantly assist the driver in making important driving decisions, which contributes significantly to roadway safety for all motorists. Highly visible, retroreflective pavement markings address traffic crashes by providing a more clearly marked roadway to enable drivers to identify and maintain their lane. Options in pavement markings include higher-contrast markings, higher-profiled markings in wet environments, wider, more visible markings, the use of higher- retroreflective materials (glass bead and larger reflective elements) and raised pavement markers. Each of these strategies offers significant improvements over standard markings, particularly at locations that may require enhanced delineation, such as curves.