Manual for Selecting Safety Improvements on High Risk Rural Roads

FHWA Safety Program

FHWA-HOP-14-075

For more information, visit http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip/hrrr/

Contact: Sarah Weissman Pascual, sarah.pascual@dot.gov, (202) 366-0087

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Table of Contents

Notices
Technical Report Documentation Page
SI Modern Metric Conversion Factors
List of Acronyms

Executive Summary
1. Introduction
	1.1. Purpose
	1.2. How to Use This Manual
2. High Risk Rural Roads Overview
	2.1. High Risk Rural Road Safety
	2.2. Challenges of Applying Treatments to HRRR
3. Identifying Safety Treatments
	3.1. Tools for Identifying HRRR Safety Issues
		Highway Safety Manual
		Safety Analyst
		Crash Modification Factor (CMF) Clearinghouse
		Road Safety Audits
		Training
	3.2. Systemic Implementation and Spot Location Treatments
4. Selecting Safety Treatments
	4.1. Horizontal Curves
		Install Curve Warning Signs
		Install/Upgrade Curve Warning Signs with Fluorescent Yellow Sheeting
		Double Use of Advanced Warning Signs for Curves or Intersections
		Use of Optical Speed Bars
		Install Chevron Signs
		Install Arrow Signs at Horizontal Curve Locations
		Install Post-Mounted Delineators at Horizontal Curves
		Install Targeted Longitudinal Rumble Strips on the Outside of Horizontal Curves
		Install Icy Curve Warning System
		Improve Superelevation at Horizontal Curve Locations
		Remove Compound Horizontal Curves
		Modify Horizontal/Vertical Geometry
	4.2. Intersections (Signalized)
		Improve Traffic Signal Visibility (Larger Diameter Lens or Install Back Plate)
		Provide Intersection Lighting
		Install Pedestrian Signal Heads to Existing Signalized Intersections
		Provide Flashing Beacons at Intersection Approaches
		Use Raised Median to Restrict Turning Movements
		Install Priority Control Systems for Emergency Vehicles
		Provide Advanced Dilemma Zone Detection for Rural High Speed Signalized Approaches
		Implement J-Turns Along a Signalized Corridor
		Install Acceleration or Deceleration Lanes
		Install Right Turn Lane
		Install Left Turn Lane
		Install Offset (or Channelized) Left Turn Lane
		Convert a Traditional Signalized Intersection into a Roundabout
		Reconstruct At-Grade Intersection to Create an Interchange
	4.3. Intersections (Unsignalized)
		Relocate an Existing Stop Bar on Minor Approach
		Install Stop Ahead Pavement Markings
		Install Advanced Intersection Warning Signs
		Provide a Stop Bar on Minor-Road Approaches
		Improve Sight Distance within Sight Triangle
		Provide Upcoming Road Names on Advanced Warning Signs
		Install Retroreflective Strips on Sign Posts
		Upgrade to Larger Stop Signs
		Double Use of Stop Signs
		Improve Sight Distance and Conspicuity at Railroad Grade Crossings
		Install a Splitter Island
		Channelization of Major and Minor Roads (Physical or Painted)
		Provide Intersection Lighting
		Install Dynamic Advanced Intersection Warning System
		Upgrade Existing Railroad Crossing Hardware and Warning Systems
		Implement Lane Narrowing through Rumble Strips and Painted Median at Rural Stop-Controlled Approaches
		Provide Flashing Beacons at Intersection Approaches
		Convert Minor Road Stop Control to All-Way Stop Control
		Convert a Traditional Stop-Controlled Intersection into a J-Turn Intersection
		Use Raised Median to Restrict Turning Movements
		Install Acceleration or Deceleration Lanes
		Install Railroad Crossing Hardware and Warning Systems Where They Currently Do Not Exist
		Convert a 4-Leg Intersection into Two 3-Leg Intersections (Offset T-Intersections)
		Install Bypass Lane
		Modify Horizontal and/or Vertical Geometry
		Improve Horizontal Intersection Alignment or Skew
		Install Traffic Signals
		Install Right Turn Lane
		Install Left Turn Lane
		Install Offset (or Channelized) Left Turn Lane
		Install a Roundabout (From Stop-Controlled)
		Remove or Separate an Existing Railroad Grade Crossing
	4.4. Non-Motorized User
		Provide Crosswalks at Targeted Locations
		Install Pedestrian Signal Heads to Existing Signalized Intersections
		Construct Wildlife Fencing
		Install Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons
		Build Sidewalks
		Construct Adjacent Shared-Use Paths
		Construct Shared-Use Paved Shoulders for Horse & Buggy Road Users or Bicyclists
		Construct Exclusive Bicycle Lanes
		Install Curb Extensions
		Install or Modify Culverts to Accommodate Wildlife Crossing
		Install Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons or High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK)
		Construct Bicycle Trail Grade Separation Structures
	4.5. Pavement and Shoulder Resurfacing
		Install a Safety Edge
		Install Center Line Rumble Strips
		Install Edge Line or Shoulder Rumble Strips
		Install Transverse Rumble Strips
		Regrade or Recondition Gravel Lanes
		Install Targeted Longitudinal Rumble Strips at Key Locations (Such as on the Outside of Horizontal Curves Only)
		Install or Maintain a Graded Shoulder
		Provide Turnout Areas
		Improve Pavement Friction/Increase Skid Resistance
		Add Paved Shoulder
		Widen Existing Travel Lanes by Two Feet or Less per Lane
		Install Passing or Climbing Lanes
		Increase Shoulder Width
		Improve Superelevation at Horizontal Curve Locations
	4.6. Pavement Marking
		Provide a Stop Bar on Minor Road Approaches
		Install Stop Ahead Pavement Markings
		Relocate an Existing Stop Bar on Minor Approach
		Use of Optical Speed Bars
		Install Raised Pavement Markers
		Install Edge Line Markings
		Install Center Line Markings
		Install Wider Pavement Markings (With or Without Rumble Strips)
		Implement Lane Narrowing Through Rumble Strips and Painted Median at Rural Stop-Controlled Approaches
		Install Center Line and Edge Line Markings
		Convert a Four-Lane Two-Way Road into a Three-Lane Road With One Lane in Each Direction of Travel Plus a Continuous Two-Way Left Turn Lane (Road Diet)
		Convert a Four-Lane Two-Way Road into a Five-Lane Road with Two Lanes in Each Direction of Travel Plus a Continuous Two-Way Left Turn Lane OR Convert a Two-Lane Two-Way Road into a Three-Lane Road Plus a Continuous Two-Way Left Turn Lane
	4.7. Roadside
		Install a Safety Edge
		Improve Sight Distance by Controlling Roadside Vegetation
		Convert Culvert Headwalls to Traversable End Treatments
		Remove Guardrail
		Install or Maintain a Graded Shoulder
		Relocate Select Hazardous Utility Poles
		Install Median Guardrail
		Modify End Treatments of Existing Guardrail
		Install Impact Attenuation Devices at Select Roadside Hazard Locations (Such as Exposed Bridge Columns)
		Remove or Shield Obstacles in Clear Zone
		Increase Shoulder Width
		Widen Existing Median or Construct Median
		Install Median Cable Barrier
		Flatten Road Sideslope
		Create or Increase Clear Zone
		Add Paved Shoulder
		Install Concrete Median Barriers
	4.8. Signing
		Install/Upgrade Curve Warning Signs with Fluorescent Yellow Sheeting
		Install Curve Warning Signs
		Install Retroreflective Strips on Sign Posts
		Double Use of Advanced Warning Signs for Curves or Intersections
		Provide Upcoming Road Names on Advanced Warning Signs
		Install Advanced Intersection Warning Signs
		Upgrade to Larger Stop Signs
		Double Use of Stop Signs
		Use of Supplemental Warning Signs
		Install Chevron Signs
	4.9. Vertical Curves
		Install Advanced Intersection Warning Signs
		Install Dynamic Advanced Intersection Warning System
		Modify Horizontal/Vertical Geometry
		Relocate Driveways, Entrances, and Intersections
	4.10. Other Treatments
		Mitigate Ground Water to Prevent Ponding and/or Icing
		Widen Functionally Obsolete Bridges
5. Safety Management, the Funding Process, and Funding Sources
	5.1. Safety Management
		5.1.1. Safety Project Prioritization and Development
		5.1.2. Initial and Ongoing Treatment Costs
	5.2. The Funding Process
	5.3. Legislation and Funding Sources
		5.3.1. Legislation and Federal Funding Sources
		5.3.2. Other Funding Sources
	5.4. Evaluation
6. Navigating the Safety Treatments
	6.1. Identify Study Sites
	6.2. Perform Safety Diagnosis
	6.3. Initiate Treatment Analysis
	6.4. Perform Economic Analysis
	6.5. Summarize Recommendations

List of Figures

Figure 1. Flowchart A – HRRR Safety Enhancement Analysis

Figure 2. Flowchart B – Safety

Figure 3. Flowchart C – Treatment Analysis

Figure 4. Flowchart D – Economic Analysis

List of Tables

Table 1. Example Treatment Matrix

Table 2. 2010 Rural vs. Urban Collector and Local Road VMT and Fatality Rate Comparison

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