This project updated, revised, and expanded the scope of the Older Driver Highway Design Handbook published by FHWA in 1998. The resulting document incorporates new research findings and technical developments; extensive feedback from State, county, and municipal engineers who reviewed and applied recommendations from the earlier version of the Handbook; and recommendations with supporting background material for aspects of modern roundabouts and highway-rail grade crossings, two elements that were not covered in the 1998 publication. Recommendations geared to use of highway facilities by pedestrians also receive greater emphasis. Guidance on how and when to implement the included recommendations has been added, as well as codes that indicate at a glance the relationship of each recommendation with standard design manuals, including the MUTCD and the AASHTO Green Book. Development of the updated Handbook was complemented in this project by a technology transfer initiative to make practitioners aware of the Handbook and assist in applying its recommendations. This included the development of a condensed document, Guidelines and Recommendations to Accomodate Older Drivers and Pedestrians (FHWA-RD-01-051), plus printed and electronic materials supporting the conduct of practitioner workshops throughout the United States in the 1999-2001 period. All research products developed under this contract are designed to provide practical duidance to engineers to accommodate the needs and functional limitations of an aging population of road users. Included recommendations are directed toward new construction, reconstruction, scheduled maintenance, and "spot treatments" to ameliorate demonstrated safety problems, emphasizing countermeasures with modest additional cost during installation and the potential for cost-savings over the life cycle. (Author/publisher)
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