Recreational travel and the ownership and use of recreational vehicles have grown substantially in recent years and are predicted to continue to increase as major forces affecting total highway travel. General statewide planning procedures, including data collection, analysis, and programs of improvement, usually do not recognize such travel or vehicles as needing special consideration. Normally, their impact has been assessed only in research studies or with respect to localized problem areas. Procedures are suggested for a better accounting of these impacts. Suggestions are included for vehicle counting and classification programs, accident recording and analysis, expanded vehicle equivalency concepts, prediction of localized hourly peaking, and the use of vehicle speeds on grades as an adjunct to the usual classification counting programs. Also discussed are alternative design-hour volume concepts, the inadvisability of special passing zone markings on recreational routes, and other highway planning and design considerations on such routes. Finally, data needs for recreational travel planning are described.
Abstract