Synthesis of Benefits and Costs of Alternative Lane Marking Strategies

Synthesis of Benefits and Costs of Alternative Lane Marking Strategies
Author: Michael D. Fontaine
Publisher:
Total Pages: 70
Release: 2009
Genre: Road markings
ISBN:

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) currently uses snowplowable raised pavement markers (SRPMs) to supplement longitudinal pavement markings on some facilities. SRPMs are much more visible than traditional longitudinal markings under wet, nighttime conditions. SRPMs have been reported to dislodge from pavement, however, which has raised the question as to whether alternative marking materials might be able to replace SRPMs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the visibility performance of longitudinal pavement marking materials currently on the market. The specific objectives of this study were (1) to determine whether or not new pavement marking materials could be used in place of SRPMs; (2) if SRPMs were to be used, to develop guidelines for their installation and maintenance; and (3) to determine the costs and benefits of using SRPMs to the maximum extent possible. No new data on the visibility or durability of pavement marking materials were collected for this study. The study primarily synthesized existing research on the characteristics of different marking materials and then applied information derived from the synthesis to Virginia-specific data to estimate the impacts of using different materials. National practices for installing, inspecting, and maintaining SRPMs were also reviewed. The results of the literature review indicated that SRPMs remain the only marking system that provides sufficient nighttime preview time at high speeds, especially under wet conditions. Further, SRPMs can improve safety in certain situations, but they can also degrade safety in other situations since drivers may travel at higher speeds when the distance they can see down the road at night increases. Proposed guidelines for the installation and maintenance of SRPMs were developed. They recommend that SRPMs be installed on all limited access freeways, on all two-lane roads with an average daily traffic volume above 15,000 vehicles per day, and on all roads with a posted speed limit of 60 mph or greater. Several other situations where SRPMs might be installed based on engineering judgment were also identified. A proposed maintenance schedule that requires inspections every 2 to 3 years was also developed. A conservative economic analysis indicated that the benefits of installing and maintaining SRPMs using the guidelines developed in this study outweighed the costs by more than 80 to 1, based purely on potential safety improvements on road geometries where SRPMs have been shown to improve safety. Further, VDOT can realize cost savings by discontinuing SRPM usage on low-volume facilities and by revising particular SRPM standards.

Convertible Roadways and Lanes

Convertible Roadways and Lanes
Author: Paul Brian Wolshon
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
Total Pages: 105
Release: 2004
Genre: Express highways
ISBN: 0309070236

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 340: Convertible Roadways and Lanes examines the characteristics and operational requirements, costs, and benefits of convertible roadways and lanes.

Climate Change 2001: Synthesis Report

Climate Change 2001: Synthesis Report
Author: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Working Group I.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 416
Release: 2001
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780521015073

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was set up jointly by UNEP and the World Meteorological Organisation in 1988 to provide periodic scientific analysis of the causes, impacts and possible policy response options to climate change issues. This synthesis report is the 4th and final part of the IPCC's third assessment report, and contains information on nine policy-relevant questions regarding the IPCC's 2001 assessment. It is intended to assist governments, individually and collectively, to formulate appropriate adaptation and mitigation responses to the threat of human-induced climate change.

Impact Assessment

Impact Assessment
Author: David P. Lawrence
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 500
Release: 2013-10-14
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1118097378

Offers solutions and best practices to respond to recurrent problems and contemporary challenges in the field Since the publication of the first edition of Environmental Impact Assessment in 2003, both the practice and theory of impact assessment have changed substantially. Not only has the field been subject to a great deal of new regulations and guidelines, it has also evolved tremendously, with a greater emphasis on strategic environmental, sustainability, and human health impact assessments. Moreover, there is a greater call for impact assessments from a global perspective. This Second Edition, now titled Impact Assessment to reflect its broader scope and the breadth of these many changes, offers students and practitioners a current guide to today's impact assessment practice. Impact Assessment begins with an introduction and then a chapter reviewing conventional approaches to the field. Next, the book is organized around recurrent problems and contemporary challenges in impact assessment process design and management, enabling readers to quickly find the material they need to solve tough problems, including: How to make impact assessments more influential, rigorous, rational, substantive, practical, democratic, collaborative, ethical, and adaptive How each problem and challenge-reducing process would operate at the regulatory and applied levels How each problem can be approached for different impact assessment types—sustainability assessment, strategic environmental assessment, project-level EIA, social impact assessment, ecological impact assessment, and health impact assessment How to link and combine impact assessment processes to operate in situations with multiple overlapping problems, challenges, and impact assessment types How to connect and combine impact assessment processes Each chapter first addresses the topic with current theory and then demonstrates how that theory is applied, presenting requirements, guidelines, and best practices. Summaries at the end of each chapter provide a handy tool for structuring the design and evaluation of impact assessment processes and documents. Readers will find analyses and new case studies that address such issues as multi-jurisdictional impact assessment, climate change, cumulative effects assessment, follow-up, capacity building, interpreting significance, and the siting of major industrial and waste facilities. Reflecting current theory and standards of practice, Impact Assessment is appropriate for both students and practitioners in the field, enabling them to confidently respond to a myriad of new challenges in the field.

Engineering Economic Analysis Practices for Highway Investment

Engineering Economic Analysis Practices for Highway Investment
Author: Michael J. Markow
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
Total Pages: 127
Release: 2012
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0309223431

TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 424: Engineering Economic Analysis Practices for Highway Investment explores how U.S. transportation agencies have applied engineering economics--benefit–cost analyses and similar procedures--to decisions on highway investments.

Rural Expressway Intersection Synthesis of Practice and Crash Analysis

Rural Expressway Intersection Synthesis of Practice and Crash Analysis
Author: T. H. Maze
Publisher:
Total Pages: 134
Release: 2004
Genre: Express highway interchanges
ISBN:

This report presents a national synthesis of rural expressway, two-way stop -controlled (TWSC) intersection safety strategies and intersection designs and an analysis of Iowa expressway TWSC intersection crash characteristics. A rural expressway is a multi-lane highway with a divided median and with mostly at -grade intersections, although some intersections may be grade separated. The synthesis of intersection strategies is conducted in two parts. The first is a literature review and the second part is a national survey of strategies currently being applied by state transportation agencies. The characterization of crash patterns at TWSC expressway intersections is examined through the analysis of 5 years of crash data at 644 intersections.

Civil Engineering Exam Preparation

Civil Engineering Exam Preparation
Author: Cybellium
Publisher: Cybellium
Total Pages: 241
Release:
Genre: Study Aids
ISBN: 1836794215

Welcome to the forefront of knowledge with Cybellium, your trusted partner in mastering the cuttign-edge fields of IT, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Business, Economics and Science. Designed for professionals, students, and enthusiasts alike, our comprehensive books empower you to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital world. * Expert Insights: Our books provide deep, actionable insights that bridge the gap between theory and practical application. * Up-to-Date Content: Stay current with the latest advancements, trends, and best practices in IT, Al, Cybersecurity, Business, Economics and Science. Each guide is regularly updated to reflect the newest developments and challenges. * Comprehensive Coverage: Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, Cybellium books cover a wide range of topics, from foundational principles to specialized knowledge, tailored to your level of expertise. Become part of a global network of learners and professionals who trust Cybellium to guide their educational journey. www.cybellium.com