Crash cushions have become a more common site in Europe over the past few years. Highway authorities in certain European countries have difficulty justifying the initial cost of a crash cushion. Studies completed in the United States have proven the effectiveness of crash cushions. They clearly show how crash cushions can reduce the severity of accidents at certain locations, such as bridge piers, barrier terminals, traffic sign poles, and emergency turnaround points. Using these studies and the concept of the cost to society of fatality, a site can be evaluated based on its previous accident history to determine if a crash cushion is financially feasible. This paper explains the U.S. studies and gives case studies of different European sites to clearly illustrate how to determine the cost benefit and cost effectiveness of this road safety measure. (A)
Abstract