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OCR for page 54
Guidebook
51
Transportation Case Studies
5
Study
Missouri Statewide Installation of
Case
Median Cable Barriers
Value to Sell:
A statewide solution to prevent a specific crash type.
Context Content
The state of Missouri began to focus on improving Results from test sites were summarized in reports
traffic safety by reducing cross-median fatalities that were used to promote the program's early
after research using the state's database on crash success. The earliest report on the original median
sites and crash types concluded that cross-median guard cable located on I-44 indicated the cable had
crashes were a major source of traffic fatalities virtually eliminated cross-median fatalities. Other
and severe injuries on Missouri roadways. Cross- reports included information on improvements
median crashes typically involve head-on collisions, being made to installation design to increase the
high speeds, and multiple fatalities. Using median effectiveness of the cable on hills and turns. New
cable barriers is a countermeasure to cross- installations were equally promoted to increase
median crashes that is both effective and relatively awareness, bringing attention to its eventual
inexpensive. These factors eventually resulted in success. When presenting technical content to a
a unique situation where the state focused not on nontechnical audience, MoDOT found the use of
fatal crash locations (which are random), but on graphs and visual explanations helpful.
specific crash types (which are not random), and
implemented a statewide solution. Channel and Style
Despite the multiple years that it took to deploy
Strategy median guard cable as the statewide solution to
With a limited budget, the Missouri Department cross-median crashes, many traffic safety engineers
of Transportation (MoDOT) installed test sites in and project managers consistently championed
locations with a historically high frequency of cross- the program. This advocacy sustained momentum
median crash sites. The test methods involved not for the idea of improved safety and saved lives
only median guard cable, but also shoulder rumble with a proven and cost-effective countermeasure
strips and guardrail improvements. Throughout to a specific crash type. In this MoDOT case, it was
the late 1990s, after successful results with the test important for advocates of the program both to
sites, additional mileage of median guard cable speak with decision makers and to be persistent in
was placed along the interstates. The increased sending emails and letters to keep the issue visible.
visibility of test sites to the public and policy makers Increased visibility was also supported through
served as references to the project's success and broadcast channels or media sources, such as town
provided the advocates of median guard cable the hall meetings and news releases. After the public
ammunition they needed when promoting its use became aware of the success of median guard cable,
on a statewide level. Persistent advocacy played a the costs of implementing a statewide solution were
key role in keeping the topic fresh in the minds of easier to justify. Actively pursing other channels
decision makers. of communication, such as webinars and web
conferences, helped to further increase awareness
of the program.
