In 1987, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 28% of all traffic deaths was caused by collisions with off-road objects. To meet the needs of the changing vehicle fleet (more smaller cars and larger trucks), federal regulation now requires roadside hardware be designed for an average car weight of 1, 800 pounds. A national cooperative highway research program (nchrp) project is now studying roadside features - traffic barriers, break-away features onsigns and ligh poles, work zone safety features, temporary barriers, etc - that could improve roadside safety. The possibility of developing testing criteria for ditches, embankments, driveways and culvert ends will also be examined. Efforts by the illinois department of transportation to reduce off-road hazards are described. Work at the federal outdoor impact laboratory in mclean, virginia, operated by the federal highway administration is described. guard rails, bridge rails, median barriers, sign and light supports and crash cushions are being crash tested in this facility. The nchrp study will develop standards for roadside hardware. Automated highways, however, isexpected to be the answer to the problem. These highways, which would include advanced technological devices to keep automobiles on theroad, could include collision-avoidance systems that trigger brakes.
Abstract