A series of new requirements was introduced into policies on geometric highway design elaborated recently in Poland. Positive influence of these changes on traffic safety as well as on the operational quality of highways was proven by tests and traffic surveys on Polish roads. New elements of design policies in Poland, which are expected to help in improving the quality of Polish roads, are: determinant speed and its determination on the basis of such design elements, that has to be adjusted to the speed of passenger cars in free flow, with regard to traffic safety; procedures for the evaluation of road alignment design correctness; strict determination of visibility requirements on roads; and principles of planning for reconstruction of two-lane rural highways with paved shoulders. Thus, the requirements focus on roadway design control and sight distance.
Abstract