On January 10, 1997, the North Carolina Board of Transportation approved a pilot project to allow limited production and shipment of 16-foot wide mobile homes in North Carolina. Selected manufacturing facilities were allowed to manufacture these larger units and ship them out-of- state using specific routes established by the NC Department of Transportation. The Board decided to allow this pilot project only after careful assessment of safety data, and particularly the positive experiences of our neighbouring states which have allowed these units to be transported successfully for the past two to four years. The Board concluded that restricted movements of 16-foot mobile homes could be made safely and with a minimal inconvenience to the motoring public. The pilot project in North Carolina allows 16-foot mobile homes to be transported only from thirteen manufacturing sites to the closest interstate highway and then to the nearest state line following designated routes. Each mobile home must receive an individual permit and must have front and rear escorts. Movements are allowed only between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and are restricted to speeds 10 miles per hour below posted speeds. The North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Highways contracted with the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Centre (HSRC) to evaluate the on-road behaviour of 16-foot mobile homes and their impact on surrounding traffic as compared to currently allowed 14-foot units. This evaluation was accomplished by following a sample of 16-foot and 14-foot units from their respective manufacturing plants to the state line. The routes covered consisted of interstate and other four-lane divided highways and secondary roads used to access these major routes from the manufacturing plants. The mobile home units were followed in a van equipped with video cameras and timing devices. Videos made during the trips were reviewed and data was drawn from the video images to determine the positioning of the mobile home unit relative to the centre lane line, outside edge line, and to oncoming vehicles on two-lane roads as well as vehicles overtaking the mobile homes on four-lane roads. Information was also derived from the tapes on the positioning of the oncoming or overtaking vehicles relative to the shoulder of the roadway. Data on travelling speed and counts of traffic directly behind and impeded by the mobile home were also collected in three-minute intervals during the duration of each data run. To the degree that the parameters of this study have allowed, North Carolina regulations governing the movement of 14- and 16-foot mobile homes (Appendix A) have been evaluated to determine their appropriateness for safe movement of mobile homes. This report includes a discussion of the results of these analyses, an evaluation of the regulations governing the movement of 14- and 16-foot units, and recommendations for regulations pertaining to the shipment of mobile homes in North Carolina. A summary of the results of this study is given. (A)
Samenvatting