The Capital Beltway is 64 miles of roadway surrounding Washington, D.C. The Capital Beltway Safety Team, led by officials from Maryland and Virginia, was formed to address safety issues on this urban interstate highway. This report documents the results of focus groups run during May, 1997 for the Safety Team. Of the eight groups conducted: three were composed of representative Beltway drivers of private passenger vehicles; two were composed of specifically selected "aggressive drivers;" and three were composed of commercial truck drivers. Procedures followed those used in 1994 for a similar study. The results indicated that roadway design and maintenance issues were of less concern to focus group participants in 1997 as compared with 1994 likely reflecting Beltway improvements made during the last three years. Unsafe driving actions, including aggressive driving, were of more concern. Focus group participants supported information, education, licensing and congestion reduction countermeasures. They also supported vigorous law enforcement of traffic laws even knowing that law enforcement presence would add to traffic congestion. (A)
Abstract