U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
FHWA's RSPCB Peer-to-Peer Program (P2P) supports and sponsors peer exchanges and workshops hosted by agencies.
Date
January 24, 2013
Hosts
FHWA Office of Safety
Key Participants
Alabama Department of Transportation
FHWA Alabama Division Office
Florida Department of Transportation
FHWA Florida Division Office
Indiana Department of Transportation
FHWA Indiana Division Office
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
FHWA Louisiana Division Office
Missouri Department of Transportation
FHWA Missouri Division Office
Oklahoma Department of Transportation
FHWA Oklahoma Division Office
South Carolina Department of Transportation
FHWA South Carolina Division Office
Tennessee Department of Transportation
FHWA Tennessee Division Office
Texas Department of Transportation
FHWA Texas Division Office
West Virginia Department of Transportation
FHWA West Virginia Division Office
FHWA Resource Center
U.S. DOT Volpe Center
FHWA's Office of Safety sponsors Peer to Peer (P2P) events.
Learn more
1. Introduction and Background
4. Key Areas of Interest and Next Steps
This report provides a summary of a peer-to-peer videoconference sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Safety. The videoconference was the second in a series of roadway departure-focused peer exchanges sponsored by the Office of Safety as a follow-up to face-to-face peer exchanges held with roadway departure Focus States in 2008 and 2009.
The Office of Safety selected ten States—Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia—to participate in this virtual peer exchange. The selected States were chosen based on the number and percentage of fatal crashes on horizontal curves, as well as geographic location.
The peer exchange provided opportunities for participants to share their experiences on a range of topics including:
The event also allowed stakeholders to learn from peers who demonstrated innovative approaches to safety on horizontal curves, including edge line striping and high friction surface treatments (HFST). Peer presentations were made by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the Louisiana Local Transportation Assistance Program (LA LTAP), and the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WV DOT).
Sixty-six participants representing Departments of Transportation (DOT), Local Transportation Assistance Programs (LTAP), and FHWA Division Offices attended the virtual peer exchange (see Appendix A for the complete list of event participants and presenters). The peer exchange discussions and presentations focused on the following topics (see Appendix B for the full agenda):
Facilitated roundtable discussions on each of the topics were a significant component of the event. During the discussion, each State shared its experiences in addressing safety on horizontal curves, including innovative practices and implementation challenges.
An FHWA Office of Safety representative welcomed participants to the peer exchange. Attendees then introduced themselves and briefly described what they were hoping to learn from the event.
Peers addressed a number of topics related to addressing safety on horizontal curves. The following section provides an overview of their presentations.
Systemic Implementation of Edge Line Striping
John Miller, P.E. – Traffic Safety Engineer, Missouri Department of Transportation
MoDOT's Traffic Safety Engineer discussed the State's initiative on systemic implementation of safety countermeasures. Mr. Miller spoke in detail about Missouri's implementation of edge line striping on rural roads, an initiative which began in 2008, as one example of Missouri's effort to apply systemic approaches to highway safety. Missouri's edge line striping program was initiated in 2008 and was funded through the High Risk Rural Roads Program (HRRRP). This program involved painting shoulder edge lines on roads with Average Daily Traffic (ADT) volumes between 400 and 1,000.
Until 2008, MoDOT painted edge line stripes only on roads which had greater than 1,000 ADT; however Missouri has approximately 18,500 centerline miles of potentially eligible HRRRP routes with traffic volumes below 1,000 ADT. A review of the data showed a "Run-off-Road" crash problem, with approximately two-thirds of those occurring in horizontal curves; between 2005 and 2007, approximately 339 fatalities and 2,280 disabling injuries occurred on those roads. However, 65 percent of these fatalities and injuries occurred on the small portion of the roadway system where traffic volumes ranged between 400 and 1,000 ADT (6,800 miles or 37 percent). In 2009, MoDOT's Central District painted edge lines on the majority of its eligible routes, approximately 570 centerline miles on 73 roads. MoDOT performed an Empirical Bayes Analysis using crash data for the three years prior to the project and two years after, and determined that if the project was implemented state wide, 14 fatalities and 95 severe injuries would be prevented each year.
Mr. Miller described the State's initiative on systemic implementation of safety countermeasures. The systemic approach allows the user to address "worst first" problem crash types. MoDOT presented both the benefits and challenges of using a systemic approach for highway safety countermeasures. Benefits include:
Challenges to using a systemic approach were also discussed including:
Systemic projects in Missouri include painting edge lines on the majority of its eligible routes; installing median guard cable on freeways; and installing shoulder rumble strips on major roads on the State system.
Louisiana Local Technical Assistance Program – Horizontal Curve Crash Identification Overview
Marie B. Walsh, Director and Jason Tyler – LA Local Transportation Assistance Program
Representatives from the Louisiana LTAP discussed Louisiana's experience identifying horizontal curve crashes. Louisiana has a higher percentage of roads than average owned by the State as opposed to local municipalities. Approximately 20 to 25 percent of all fatalities occur on local roads in Louisiana and this has spiked in recent years. Louisiana's roadway safety program has faced the challenge of a lack of road data, incomplete crash data, and limited exposure data.
Mr. Tyler discussed how Louisiana identified crashes on horizontal curves which account for 49 percent of all local road fatalities and are 6.5 times more likely to be fatal than other local road crashes. This was a particular challenge as Louisiana has no certified local road database and has incomplete crash and exposure data as well as no ADT counts. Mr. Tyler's team developed a systematic approach using Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping to identify crashes which occurred on horizontal curves. The approach involves visual identification of curves, a process which took three months by a single person. Crashes were then overlapped with the identified curves. Moving forward, the LA LTAP is looking to begin a pilot project with locals. A parish-wide curve improvement project will include signing, pavement markings, and roadway and engineering assessments.
Details on Louisiana's program include:
High Friction Surface Treatment – West Virginia's Plan to Reduce Roadway Departure Crashes
Donna J Hardy, PE – Mobility & Safety Engineer, WV Division of Highways, Traffic Engineering Division
The Mobility and Safety Engineer from the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) discussed the State's experience using HFST on its roadways. West Virginia has applied HFST at 26 sites with an additional 17 sites programmed and 8 more planned as of December 2012. HFST has been used to address roadway departure issues primarily on horizontal curves, but was also used on a vertical curve project; its use is being expanded to bridge decks and roads near springs and rivers which are more susceptible to freezing and black ice.
WVDOH presented important information regarding HFST installation including:
HFSTs are comprised of two components, a polymer and an aggregate. West Virginia only allows Bauxite for use as an aggregate. To date, WVDOH has used three vendors for HSFTs: Tyregrip (23 sites), Ebond Epoxy and Bauxite Materials (2 sites), and Safe T Grip (1 site).
West Virginia's first project was a demonstration on WV 3 in Boone County. The Tyregrip product was applied mechanically and WVDOH paid only for the materials. The project resulted in a drastic reduction in roadway departure crashes. Similar success has been demonstrated at most of the other projects as well. Nine of WVDOH's ten districts have completed at least one project and are requesting additional installations.
Of the 26 completed sites, there were application issues at three sites. Two of those sites have been corrected at no cost to WVDOH and they are in negotiations on the third site. The projects in the table below highlight potential challenges and how they can be addressed for future projects.
Project Location/Existing Conditions | Issues with HFST Installation | Solutions Implemented |
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WV 20 - Mercer County
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WV 20 - Mercer County
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Lessons learned from completed projects include:
WVDOH's Mobility and Safety section is performing a three year post evaluation of crashes occurring at HFST sites.
Group discussion regarding HFSTs:
FHWA is working with the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) to develop a specification for HFST. A long term specification will take significant time to get approval through AASHTO; there are plans to provide an interim specification, since the process is still evolving. California, Tennessee and Maryland were noted as states that have good specifications.
The group discussed whether increasing superelevation or applying HFSTs was a better way of decreasing roadway departures on curves. Some noted that increased superelevation may cause people to drive faster and not actually improve the safety. HFST won't cause people to drive faster but has been shown to increase safety.
A number of key topics were discussed during the roundtable discussions.
Q: Does your state have a program to address horizontal curves?
Q: What new ideas and techniques is your state using for horizontal curves?
As an example of a new idea, a pavement marking developed and used in Pennsylvania and installed experimentally in Iowa was shown to the group. The treatment is a turn arrow with the word "SLOW" on the pavement in advance of curves. (See photo below). The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) installed this at a few hundred locations and noted significant reductions in crashes initially. They were unable to determine its long-term effects due to difficulties in tracking maintenance of the markings. Note the treatment is considered experimental per the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), because the arrow symbol is specifically designated for turn lanes.
Other feedback from the participating states included:
At the conclusion of the roundtable discussion, states discussed key areas of interest based on information that emerged from the peer exchange, as well as topics that they intend to explore in the future:
Participants noted that the peer exchange went smoothly with good discussions and that it was appropriate in time and scope. General comments included: "exceeded my expectations" and "worth the time spent." All of the states indicated that they left the peer exchange with better knowledge of the subject matter and many plan to follow up with contacts gained during the exchange and implement some of the new ideas they heard. Highlights identified by the participants included:
Suggestions on how the event could have been improved included:
Overall, the group consensus was that the peer exchange was very helpful. One participant noted, "The pace was good and the presenters were knowledgeable. It was great to catch up on the emerging state of the practice from other locations." Other attendees said that the "greatest benefit of the event was hearing the different challenges that others are going through" and "learning about countermeasures that worked, didn't work, and might work." States appreciated the opportunity to spend time with staff from the FHWA Division Office, LTAP, and State DOT.
FHWA/Volpe | |
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Dick Albin Safety Engineer Organization: FHWA Resource Center Business Phone Number: 303-550-8804 Business Email: dick.albin@dot.gov |
Frank Julian Safety Engineer Organization: FHWA Resource Center Business Phone Number: 404-562-3689 Business Email: frank.julian@dot.gov |
Melonie Barrington Transportation Specialist Organization: FHWA Office of Safety Business Phone Number: 202-366-8029 Business Email: melonie.barrington@dot.gov |
Jay Monty Planner Organization: US DOT/Volpe Business Phone Number: 617-494-3952 Business Email: joseph.monty.ctr@dot.gov |
Joe Cheung Engineer Organization: FHWA Office of Safety Business Phone Number: 202-366-6994 Business Email: joseph.cheung@dot.gov |
Cathy Satterfield Safety Engineer Organization: FHWA Office of Safety Business Phone Number: 708-283-3552 Business Email: cathy.satterfield@dot.gov |
Mike Griffith Office Director, Safety Technologies Organization: FHWA Office of Safety Business Phone Number: 202-366-9469 Business Email: mike.griffith@dot.gov |
Susan Smichenko Community Planner Organization: US DOT/Volpe Business Phone Number: 617-494-3438 Business Email: susan.smichenko@dot.gov |
Alabama | |
Tim Barnett State Safety Operations Engineer Organization: Alabama DOT Business Phone Number: 334-353-6464 Business Email: barnettt@dot.state.al.us |
Linda Guin Safety & Technology Engineer Organization: FHWA - AL Division Business Phone Number: 334-274-6353 Business Email: linda.guin@dot.gov |
Stacey Glass State Traffic Engineer Organization: Alabama Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 334-242-6275 Business Email: glasss@dot.state.al.us |
Stuart Manson Safety Engineering Analyst Organization: Alabama Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 334-353-6462 Business Email: mansons@dot.state.al.us |
Florida | |
Rafiq Darji Construction & Materials Engineer Organization: FHWA - FL Division Business Phone Number: 850-553-2242 Business Email: rafiq.darji@dot.gov |
Kris Milster ITS/Traffic Operations Engineer Organization: FHWA - FL Division Business Phone Number: 850-553-2246 Business Email: kris.milster@dot.gov |
Felix Delgado Safety Specialist Organization: FHWA - FL Division Business Phone Number: 850-553-2229 Business Email: felix.delgado@dot.gov |
Joseph Santos State Safety Engineer Organization: Florida Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 850-245-1502 Business Email: joseph.santos@dot.state.fl.us |
Fred Heery Deputy State Traffic Operations Engineer Organization: Florida Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 850-410-5416 Business Email: fred.heery@dot.state.fl.us |
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Indiana | |
Robert Dirks Team Leader - Design and Construction Organization: FHWA - Indiana Division Business Phone Number: 317-226-7492 Business Email: robert.dirks@dot.gov |
Hillary Lowther Traffic Engineer Organization: Indiana Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 812-524-3711 Business Email: hlowther@indot.in.gov |
Rick Drumm Safety Engineer Organization: FHWA - Indiana Division Business Phone Number: 317-226-7487 Business Email: rick.drumm@dot.gov |
Janice Osadczuk Team Leader Engineering Services Organization: FHWA - Indiana Division Business Phone Number: 317-226-7486 Business Email: janice.osadczuk@dot.gov |
Eryn Fletcher Transportation Engineer Organization: FHWA - Indiana Division Business Phone Number: 317-226-7489 Business Email: eryn.fletcher@dot.gov |
Dana Plattner District Traffic Engineer Organization: Indiana Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 260-969-8233 Business Email: dplattner@indot.in.gov |
Bren George-Nwabugwu Sr. Transportation Engineer Organization: FHWA - Indiana Division Business Phone Number: 317-226-7342 Business Email: bren.george@dot.gov |
Laura Slusher Traffic Safety Engineer Organization: Indiana LTAP Business Phone Number: 765-494-7038 Business Email: lslusher@purdue.edu |
Louis Haasis Transportation Engineer Organization: FHWA Business Phone Number: 317-226-5617 Business Email: lou.haasis@dot.gov |
Bill Smith District Traffic Engineer Organization: Indiana Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 765-361-5631 Business Email: bsmith@indot.in.gov |
Michael Holowaty Manager, Office of Traffic Safety Organization: Indiana Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 317-232-5337 Business Email: mholowaty@indot.in.gov |
Brad Steckler Director of Traffic Engineering Organization: Indiana Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 317-232-5137 Business Email: bsteckler@indot.in.gov |
Leslie Lahndt Transportation Engineer Organization: FHWA - Indiana Division Business Phone Number: 317-226-7481 Business Email: leslie.lahndt@dot.gov |
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Louisiana | |
Jim Chapman Highway Safety EI Organization: LA DOTD Business Phone Number: 225-242-4574 Business Email: james.chapman@la.gov |
Jason Taylor Local Road Safety Engineer Organization: Louisiana LTAP Business Phone Number: 225-767-9717 Business Email: jason.taylor@la.gov |
Joshua Harrouch Engineer 6 DOTD Organization: LA DOTD Business Phone Number: 225-242-4640 Business Email: joshua.harrouch@la.gov |
Betsey Tramonte Safety Programs Coordinator Organization: FHWA – LA Division Business Phone Number: 225-757-7613 Business Email: betsey.tramonte@dot.gov |
Dan Magri Highway Safety Administrator Organization: LA DOTD Business Phone Number: 225-379-1871 Business Email: dan.magri@la.gov |
Marie Walsh Director Organization: Louisiana LTAP Business Phone Number: 225-767-9184 Business Email: marie.walsh@la.gov |
Missouri | |
John Miller Traffic Safety Engineer Organization: Missouri Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 573-526-1759 Business Email: john.p.miller@modot.mo.gov |
Tamara Pitts Senior Traffic Studies Specialist Organization: Missouri Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 573-526-6885 Business Email: tamara.pitts@modot.mo.gov |
Brian Nevins Environmental Specialist Organization: FHWA Business Phone Number: 573-638-2624 Business Email: brian.nevins@dot.gov |
Marc Thornsberry Safety & Mobility Engineer Organization: FHWA - Missouri Division Business Phone Number: 573-638-2616 Business Email: marc.thornsberry@dot.gov |
Oklahoma | |
Faria Emamian Assistant Chief Engineer Organization: Oklahoma Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 405-521-2867 Business Email: femamian@odot.org |
Huy Nguyen Safety Engineer Organization: FHWA-OK Division Business Phone Number: 405-254-3345 Business Email: huy.nguyen@dot.gov |
David Glabas Manager, Collision Analysis & Safety Branch Organization: Oklahoma DOT Business Phone Number: 405-521-4157 Business Email: dglabas@odot.org |
Matt Warren Engineer Intern Organization: Oklahoma DOT Business Phone Number: 405-521-3946 Business Email: mwarren@odot.org |
South Carolina | |
Eric Hall Safety Project Development Engineer Organization: South Carolina Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 803-737-2083 Business Email: hallse@scdot.org |
Joey Riddle Safety Program Engineering Organization: South Carolina Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 803-348-5378 Business Email: riddlejd@scdot.org |
Brett Harrelson State Safety Engineer Organization: SCDOT Business Phone Number: 803-737-3378 Business Email: harrelsodb@scdot.org |
Keith Riddle Safety Project Engineer Organization: South Carolina Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 803-737-0403 Business Email: riddlewk@scdot.org |
Dan Hinton Safety and Traffic Engineer Organization: FHWA-SC Division Business Phone Number: 803-253-3887 Business Email: daniel.hinton@dot.gov |
Mike Sawyer PM Organization: Traffic Engineering Business Phone Number: 803-737-1047 Business Email: sawyermj@scdot.org |
Richard Jenkins State Traffic Management Engineer Organization: South Carolina Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 803-737-1454 Business Email: jenkinsrf@scdot.org |
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Tennessee | |
Jessica Rich Safety Engineer Organization: FHWA - TN Division Business Phone Number: 615-781-5788 Business Email: jessica.rich@dot.gov |
Joseph Kerstetter Materials Assistant 3 Organization: Tennessee Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 615-350-4193 Business Email: joseph.kerstetter@tn.gov |
Brian Hurst Tennessee Transportation Safety Manager Organization: Tennessee Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 615-253-2433 Business Email: brian.hurst@tn.gov |
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Texas | |
Michael Chacon Policy & Standards Engineer Organization: Texas Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 512-416-3120 Business Email: michael.chacon@txdot.gov |
Darren McDaniel Speed Zone Engineer Organization: Texas Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 512-416-3331 Business Email: darren.mcdaniel@txdot.gov |
Cynthia Landez Transportation Engineer Organization: Texas Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 512-416-2391 Business Email: cynthia.landez@txdot.gov |
Rory Meza Director, Roadway Design Section Organization: Texas Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 512-416-2678 Business Email: rory.meza@txdot.gov |
Christopher Lindsey Transportation Engineer Organization: Texas Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 512-416-2750 Business Email: christopher.lindsey@txdot.gov |
Margaret Moore Traffic Engineering Section Director Organization: Texas Department of Transportation Business Phone Number: 512-416-3135 Business Email: meg.moore@txdot.gov |
William Lowery Director Organization: Lone Star LTAP at TEEX Business Phone Number: 979-845-2912 Business Email: bill.lowery@teex.tamu.edu |
Stephen Ratke Safety Engineer Organization: FHWA - Texas Division Business Phone Number: 512-536-5924 Business Email: stephen.ratke@dot.gov |
West Virginia | |
Ryan Brumfield Safety Engineer Organization: FHWA - WV Division Business Phone Number: 304-347-5473 Business Email: ryan.brumfield@dot.gov |
Jason Workman Director of Program Development Organization: FHWA - WV Division Business Phone Number: 304-347-5271 Business Email: jason.workman@dot.gov |
Todd West Standards Unit Leader Organization: WVDOH Business Phone Number: 304-558-9738 Business Email: todd.g.west@wv.gov |
Joe Hall Technical Policy QA/QC Engineer Organization: WV Division of Highways, Engineering Division Business Phone Number: 304-558-9733 Business Email: joe.h.hall@wv.gov |
Thursday, January 24, 2012 | |
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10:30 | Welcome and Introductions
Presentations and Q&A Roundtable Discussion
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12:30 | Working Lunch Local discussion at each site on Addressing Safety on Curves Presentation and Q&A Roundtable Discussion
Take-Away Items
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3:00 | Close |
The list below provides links to websites discussed during the peer exchange.
HFST Specifications |
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Site: High Friction Roads Link: www.highfrictionroads.com |
Texas Profile Marking Standard |
Site: TXDOT Profile Marking Standard Link: bit.ly/WpnhHc |