This paper was presented at the `Cost-Effective Designs for Trucks' session. The continued reliance on commercial vehicles for surface transport necessitates the creation of a documented procedure to accurately locate, design and maintain runaway lanes. The Ministry of Transportation and Highways in British Columbia has been working towards the development of a warranting procedure. Design considerations for truck escape ramps have also been reviewed, with specific attention devoted to emerging technologies that may result in cost-effective designs. With more complex runaway lane designs and the growing popularity of high-maintenance gravel arrestor beds, a set of maintenance standards are also required to ensure adequate performance of runaway lanes on a continual basis. This paper will detail existing practice, recommend a procedure to identify the need and location of a runaway lane, and will introduce guidelines for the design and maintenance elements associated with the various types of runaway lanes. (A)
Abstract