Effect of pavement resurfacing on traffic safety.

Author(s)
Pigman, J.G. Agent, K.R. & Green, E.R.
Year
Abstract

The objectives of this study were to analyze the before and after crash history and speeds on routes which have been resurfaced, inspect resurfacing projects, make recommendations to improve the resurfacing process, and determine improvements which could be made in conjunction with the resurfacing project to improve the overall safety of the roadway. An analysis of the before and after crash data did not show a reduction in total crashes after resurfacing. There was a reduction in crashes which occurred on a wet pavement. A comparison of speeds before and after resurfacing did not find a major change in travel speeds. Considering all locations, there was an average increase in speeds after resurfacing of less than one mph. Discussion with state inspectors and contractors found agreement of areas which could be changed to improve the resurfacing process. Most of the comments dealt with preparation of the road prior to paving, methods to place the shoulder, and the paving operation. Recommendations were made to be taken into consideration when resurfacing roads. They were grouped into the following categories: preparation for resurfacing, shoulder-related issues, paving operation, and general issues. Examples of the recommendations are as follows: 1) consider adding ditching and shouldering as part of preparation for resurfacing especially when the resurfacing extends to the ditch fore slope, 2) place a note on the typical section that the shoulder wedge should be sloped down to the adjacent turf at no more than a 45 degree angle, 3) ensure that an adequate amount of leveling material is included in the contract, 4) encourage use of non-typical additions to the contract to minimize any potential problems after resurfacing (for example, place object markers when there is a potential hazard such as a culvert headwall adjacent to the pavement), and 5) consider development of a more comprehensive policy for resurfacing that focuses both on the paved travel lanes and the adjacent roadside (shoulder, ditch, clear zone). (Author/publisher)

Request publication

4 + 2 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.

Publication

Library number
C 40623 [electronic version only]
Source

Lexington, KY, University of Kentucky, Kentucky Transportation Center, 2004, III + 17 p., 9 ref.; Research Report KTC-04-02/SPR257-03-1F

Our collection

This publication is one of our other publications, and part of our extensive collection of road safety literature, that also includes the SWOV publications.