Improving the Safety of Older Road Users (2005) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 22-30
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From page 22... ...
Currently, it is funding demonstration projects in three states -- Arizona, Massachusetts, and Washington -- to implement and evaluate selected elements of the Highway Design Handbook. The 3-year projects will provide information on the effectiveness of some of the recommended design elements in improving safety, comfort, ease of use, and operations for older road users, as well as for the general population.
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From page 23... ...
Practical Countermeasure Elements Problem Situation Static Signs Changeable Signing Traffic Signals Pavement Markings Other/Raised Delineation Geometric Design Traffic Operations Nighttime driving √ √ √ Urban–suburban intersections √ √ √ √ √ √ Freeways √ √ √ √ √ Pedestrian crossings √ √ √ Highway work zones √ √ √ √ √ From Staplin, L., "Highway Enhancements to Improve Safety and Mobility of Older Road Users: Practical Applications," In Conference Proceedings 27, Transportation in an Aging Society: A Decade of Experience, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 2004.
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From page 24... ...
• Intersections – Bright, luminous lane markings and directional signals – Overhead indicators for turning lanes – Overhead street name signs – Adding or widening left-turn lanes. • Streets and highways – Wider lanes and shoulders to reduce the consequences of driving mistakes – Longer merge and existing lanes – Rumble strips to warn motorists when they are running off roads – Curves that are not as sharp – Improvements to pedestrian features at intersections – Improved intersection design – Improved standards for acceptable stopping and reaction sight distances.
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From page 25... ...
Identified short-term improvements were reflective pavement markers, overhead street name signs, wider pavement markings, advance street name signs, improved pedestrian crossings, and improved work zone safety. Long-term improvements included increasing sign visibility, providing advance notice, and improving intersection design and operation.
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From page 26... ...
; (e) Larger street name signs (6-in.
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From page 27... ...
The program is being continued as part of the Texas DOT's regular installation and maintenance of its roadside highway signs. The department also qualified 203 projects for the Hazard Elimination Program over a 3-year period, including installation of traffic signals and safety lighting and construction of left-turn lanes and medians, both of which have been shown to be especially beneficial for older road users.
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From page 28... ...
Improvements to pavement marking contrast 8 13 3 l. Use of raised pavement markings to supplement standard centerline markings 15 9 0 m Use of post-mounted delineation devices as supplement to chevron alignment signs on horizontal curves 10 13 1 TABLE 5 PERCEIVED BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTING RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE FHWA HIGHWAY DESIGN HANDBOOK TABLE 6 STATE MODIFICATIONS TO ACCOMMODATE OLDER ROAD USERS
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From page 29... ...
• Street name signing -- Eighteen of the 24 responding states noted changes in street name signing to benefit older road users. This number included Pennsylvania, which indicated an increase in letter height to 6 in., but not to larger heights for higher-speed, multilane roadways or for overhead signs.
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From page 30... ...
SUMMARY Through its Highway Design Guidelines for Older Drivers and Pedestrians and associated materials and resources, FHWA has provided clear guidance to state and local transportation engineers on roadway improvements to accommodate the aging driver population. Additional resources have been developed to provide guidance with respect to the pedestrian environment, drawing support from American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
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