This study was undertaken in New York State, USA, to determine how traffic warning devices (for example: posted recommended speed plates) do relate to operating speeds and accident rates on curves/curved sections of two-lane rural highways. A total of 322 road sections were considered for the study. For each of the curved sections, the following design parameters were collected: posted recommended speeds, degree of curve, curvature change rate (Kurvigkeit), length of curve, superelevation rate, gradient, sight distance, lane width, shoulder width, and average annual daily traffic. Regression analysis indicated that posted recommended speed, degree of curve, or curvature change rate were able to explain most of the variation in operating speeds and accident rates on two-lane rural highways. The other parameters, with the exception of superelevation rate, contributed a little to the strength of the relationships.
Samenvatting