The objective of this study was to determine why a disproportionate number of fatal crashes occur on Georgia two-lane rural highways and identify possible countermeasures (from a host of feasible roadway or roadside improvements) that are the most effective for reducing these fatal crashes. To understand the nature of the crashes, researchers evaluated 150 randomly chosen fatal crashes from 1997. The observed crash characteristics were divided into human, vehicle, roadway, or environmental related characteristics. In an effort to determine potentially effective countermeasures, researchers combined past knowledge of countermeasure effectiveness with new knowledge gained from engineering evaluations of approximately 30 roadway and roadside countermeasures assessed for the 150 fatal crashes. Through this approach, several countermeasures (under specific conditions) were found to be potentially effective in minimizing crash severity. The report concludes with short-term and long-term safety investment strategies for Georgia.
Samenvatting