Accidents on rural roads show a very high accident severity. In order to reduce accidents caused by passing among others, new "Guidelines for the Design of Rural Road" (RAL 2012) have been introduced. The RAL (2012) define four different types of roads (design classes) including different principles for passing. On roads of design class 2 and 3 passing by using the opposing traffic lane is still possible. For this reason, the RAL recommends a passing sight distance of 600 m on single carriageway two-lane rural roads. This value was determined by a theoretical model. The aim of the project was to verify and update the current passing sight model. For this purpose, passing maneuvers were recorded by using an airborne drone. This technology allows capturing the entire passing maneuver including the approach of the opposing traffic. The parameters of the passing maneuvers were evaluated. A passing sight model was derived from that. As research result, recommendations for the required passing sight distance on single carriageways two lane rural roads will be given. Another output of the research will be recommendations for no-passing zones by traffic regulations. (Author/publisher)
Abstract