Roadside Hardware

Motor vehicle fatality rates have been on a general decline over the past 25 years. In 1965 rates of 25 deaths per 100,000 population, and five per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, were occurring; 1992 rates were 15.4 deaths per 100,000 population and 1.8 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. While the trends are noteworthy and encouraging, approximately 40,000 people are still being killed annually in motor vehicle crashes. Of this total approximately 30 percent result from single vehicle, run-off-the-road crashes. The vast majority of improvements in roadside safety have occurred since 1960. Prior to that time little attention was given to the roadside; run-off-the-road crashes were attributed to "the nut behind the wheel." This philosophy resulted in untreated guardrail end terminals, unyielding sign and luminaire supports, nontraversable roadsides and ditches, untreated culvert ends, etc. Unquestionably, improvements in roadside safety design have contributed significantly to the death rate decreases. Safety advancements have been through research and the development of cost effective crashworthy hardware; improved geometric features; roadside recovery areas; improved guidelines for the design, selection, and maintenance of safety features; and general acceptance of the "forgiving roadside" philosophy. This paper is an overview of the research and progress made during the past 35-plus years and identifies key areas that need to be addressed in the near future. Selected research, references, and accomplishments thought to be fundamental to the advancement of roadside safety are identified. The emphasis is on research that has been associated with improvements in the safety of the roadside. Key words: roadside, research, safety, design, hardware.

The vast majority of improvements in roadside safety have occurred since 1960. Prior thereto little attention was given to safety of the roadside; run-off-the-road crashes were attributed to the "nut behind the wheel." This philosophy resulted in unyielding sign and luminaire supports, untreated guardrail ends (blunt ends), nontraversable ditches, untreated culvert ends, etc.

< Back