Roadside Safety Research Program Pooled Fund Study

BACKGROUND:

Many state DOT's have sponsored research on roadside safety issues that include crash testing of features in accordance with FHWA adopted standards (NCHRP Report 350). Many of the research and functional problems are common to more than one state and so there is efficiency and cost effectiveness in pooling resources to conduct certain crash tests.

OBJECTIVE:

To establish an ongoing roadside safety research program that will meet the research and functional needs of participating states in a cost-effective and timely manner.

SCOPE OF WORK:

A committee of representatives from participating states will form a technical committee to identify common research needs, select projects for funding and oversee implementation of results. Specific research activities addressed within the program will include the design, analysis, testing, and evaluation of crashworthy structures, and the development of guidelines for the use, selection and placement of these structures. Crashworthy structures to be addressed include bridge rails, guardrails, transitions, median barriers, portable concrete barriers, end treatments, crash cushions, culverts, breakaway support structures (e.g. sign supports, luminaire supports, mailboxes), and work zone traffic control devices. Research will also address the influence of highway features such as driveways, slopes, ditches, shoulders, medians, and curbs on single vehicle collisions. The problems identified with these structures and features will be addressed through in-service performance evaluation studies, computer simulation, full-scale crash testing, clinical analyses, real-world crash data, and benefit cots analyses. The specific identification, selection and prioritization of research issues will be made by the technical committee on an annual basis, unless emerging issues require committee decisions in the interim.

POOLED FUND PROJECT SUMMARY:

Pooled Fund Project Summary

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Home Participating States Contact Info

ONGOING PROJECTS:

Long-Span Guardrail - Phase III

T-Intersection-Curved Guardrails Fittings for Cable Barriers

U.S. 11 Lake Pontchartrain Bridge Rail Replacement

WSDOT Pin and Loop Barrier with Drainage Slots

F-Shape Concrete Barrier with Slotted Drain Holes (2009-LA/8)

COMPLETED PROJECTS:

Long-Span Guardrail I Long-Span Guardrail II High-Tension Cable