REVIEW OF PRACTICES TO IMPLEMENT COST-EFFECTIVE ROADWAY SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER AND SEVERITY OF CRASHES INVOLVING COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES

Report to:

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives

Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate

Submitted by:

U.S. Department of Transportation
 
Federal Highway Administration

Office of Safety

October 11, 2016

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

• CMV Safety Improvements
• Gaps and Challenges

Chapter One. Introduction

• How CMV Safety Is Improving and Benefits the Economy
• How This Report Is Organized

Chapter Two. Infrastructure Safety

• Roadway Measures
• Adding Lanes and Ramps

Chapter Three. Communication Infrastructure

• Signs and Signals
• Pavement Markings
• Incident Warnings

Chapter Four Innovative CMV Safety Practices

• Compliance with Safety Rules
• Truck Separation Measures

Chapter Five. Challenges and Conclusions

• Factors Affecting CMV Safety
• Findings and Conclusions

References

List of Figures

Figure 1. Graph. Trend line for fatal crashes involving large trucks, 1975–2014

Figure 2. Graph. Fatalities in Crashes Involving Large Trucks and Passenger Vehicles per 100 million Vehicle Miles Traveled by Vehicle Type, 1975–2014

Figure 3 Photo High-friction surface treatment on a ramp in Wisconsin

Figure 4 Photo with illustration. Cross-slope break on a superelevated curve

Figure 5 Photo TL-5 concrete median barrier

Figure 6 Photo Milled shoulder rumble strip. 18

Figure 7 Photo with illustration. Lane departure warning system (virtual rumble strip)

Figure 8 Photo Truck escape ramp

Figure 9 Photo with illustration Climbing lane on I-81 in Virginia

Figure 10 Illustration Alternate Passing Lane

Figure 11 Map Interchange bypass at I-5/I-405 in Orange County, California

Figure 12 Map Interchange bypass at Tigard interchange in Oregon

Figure 13 Photo Dual-dual section of the New Jersey Turnpike

Figure 14 Graphic Truck rollover warning sign

Figure 15 Photo Retroreflective chevrons

Figure 16 Photo Dynamic speed signs

Figure 17 Photo Dynamic warning sign showing activated truck rollover warning system

Figure 18 Photo Route shield pavement marking in Virgina

Figure 19 Photo Wider edge line marking

Figure 20 Photo Contrast marking

Figure 21 Photo Dynamic queue detection warning sign in a work zone

Figure 22 Photo Weather advisory system using a static sign with beacons

Figure 23 Photo Weather advisory system with a changeable message sign

Figure 24 Photo SmartPark in Michigan

Figure 25 Graphic Current recommended sign design

Figure 26 Photo Virtual weigh station

Figure 27 Graphic Truck lane restriction in Texas

List of Abbreviations

AASHTO	American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
CMV	Commercial Motor Vehicle
State DOT	State departments of transportation
FARS	Fatal Analysis Reporting System
FAST Act	Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act
FHWA	Federal Highway Administration
FMCSA	Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
HFST	High-Friction Surface Treatment
MCSAP	Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program
MUTCD	Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
NCHRP	National Cooperative Highway Research Program
NHTSA	National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
OS/OW	Oversize/Overweight
PRA	Paperwork Reduction Act
SHSP	Strategic Highway Safety Plan
DOT	U.S. Department of Transportation
VMT	Vehicle Miles Traveled