This report compares the geometric road design standards and operational relations of EC and EFTA countries as part of an investigation into the modification of these standards and regulations through the use of ATT. It forms the deliverable from Workpackage 9TSR, Activity 9.1 of DRIVE II, Project V2002. It includes a list of design standard definitions, a comparative analysis of geometric road design standards / operational regulations in Western European countries and permitted departures from these standards. Design standards were obtained and translated where necessary from ten countries. Information from the remaining countries was mainly acquired through questionnaires. Generally it was found that the design philosophies of the various countries were similar, but that there were significant differences between the values of many geometric road design parameters. The principal differences identified were in the values for stopping sight distance, overtaking sight distance, minimum horizontal curve radius, maximum allowable gradient and minimum convex and concave vertical curve radii, with the maximum and minimum values of these parameters differing between countries by up to 100%. Investigation of road cross-section dimensions showed that there is general agreement between national standards on traffic lane widths and, in the case of divided roads, on shoulder widths. However there are considerable differences in dimensions for all other cross-sectional elements. The specified intersection sight distances and the dimensions for acceleration and left turn lanes varied widely. Differences for intersection sight distances were often of an order of magnitude, while the differences for the other values were less dramatic. Differences in operational regulations between countries included Ireland and the United Kingdom driving on the opposite side of the road from the remaining countries. Other important variations between countries included speed limits, priority rules, traffic signalling and signing This report provides a basis for assessing the influence of ATT applications on geometric road design standards in a European wide context.
Samenvatting