Road Surface Conditions
Road surface conditions are the topical safety challenges of a road based on external factors. Examples include pavement markings, geometric design, and weather effects on road conditions. Safety risks can be exacerbated by the interaction between road surface conditions and human factors, such as the ability of a driver to react to a road condition like black ice.
This section provides resources and countermeasures for maintaining safe road surface conditions.
Training
An FHWA EDC-5 Webinar in collaboration with NLTAPA and the National Center for Rural Road Safety.
Rural roadway departures make up a third of U.S. traffic fatal ... [ Read More » ]
Posted on Wednesday January 17th, 2018
During the winter months, maintenance teams work hard to make sure roadways are prepared to handle hazardous weather conditions. Through the use of de-icing/anti-icing agents, salt spreaders, and snowplows, road ...
[ Read More » ]
The National Center for Rural Road Safety (Safety Center) and the National Local Technical Assistance Program Association (NLTAPA) co-hosted a FREE, 1.5-hour on ... [ Read More » ]
Research Report
“NCHRP Report 641: Guidance for the Design and Application of Shoulder and Centerline Rumble Strips explores the design and application of shoulder and ce ... [ Read More » ]
Website
This FHWA website on road weather management shares information on how weather impacts roads, the benefits of using road weather management strategies, and what ... [ Read More » ]
Fact Sheet
This EDC 4 fact sheet discusses how “integrating mobile observations and Pathfinder strategies can help agencies manage road systems and inform travelers ... [ Read More » ]
Technical Guide/Manual
“Pathfinder is a collaborative effort between the National Weather Service (NWS), state departments of transportation (DOTs), and state DOT support contra ... [ Read More » ]
Training
The National Center for Rural Road Safety (Safety Center) and the Center for Environmentally Sustainable Transportation in Cold Climates (CESTiCC) co-hosted a F ... [ Read More » ]
Fact Sheet
This fact sheet discusses installing rumble strips on new or existing pavements. It includes discussions on pavement suitability for rumble strip implementation ... [ Read More » ]
Posted on Wednesday December 14th, 2016
There is more to falling snow than painting the landscape into a winter wonderland; it can also create a plentiful amount of additional roadway safety hazards. Snow drifts, which are created by wind moving snow o ...
[ Read More » ]
General Report
“The purpose of this white paper is to:
1. Acknowledge that pedestrian and bicycle considerations should be addressed at the State, local, and regional pl ... [ Read More » ]
Technical Guide/Manual
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Created: Sunday May 1st, 2016
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Source: Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
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Sponsor:
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Topic: Education, EMS, Enforcement, Engineering, Road, Road User, Safety Culture, Vehicle
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Sub-Topic: Driver Behavior, Enforcement Laws and Policies, Geometric Design, Human Factors, Low Cost Countermeasures, Motorcycles, Motorcyclists, Road Departure, Road Safety Audits, Road Surface Conditions, Road User Road Safety Culture, Roadside Design/Safety, Safety Countermeasures, Safety Data, Safety Plans, Sharing the Road Safely with All Road Users
“Road Safety Audits (RSAs) are a formal safety performance examination of an existing or future roadway or off-road facility and are conducted by an indep ... [ Read More » ]
Website
“A snow fence around your garden can help increase soil moisture and provide other benefits. From the Ground Up is your source for Wyoming relevant garden ... [ Read More » ]
“Maintaining the appropriate amount of pavement friction is critical for safe driving.” “High friction surface treatment (HFST) is an emerging ... [ Read More » ]
“Pavement edge drop-off on highways has been linked to many serious crashes, including fatal collisions. To mitigate vertical drop-offs, FHWA advocates in ... [ Read More » ]
Technical Guide/Manual
It is an honor to formally recognize the extraordinary achievements of those selected for the 2015 National Roadway Safety Awards. The individuals, groups, and ... [ Read More » ]
Research
Clear Roads Research Program brings together transportation professionals and researchers from around the country to drive innovation in the field of winter mai ... [ Read More » ]
Research Report
“Blowing and drifting of snow is a major concern for transportation efficiency and road safety in regions where their development is common. One common wa ... [ Read More » ]
Fact Sheet
“The National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey (NMVCCS), conducted from 2005 to 2007, was aimed at collecting on-scene information about the events an ... [ Read More » ]
Technical Guide/Manual
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Created: Friday August 1st, 2014
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Source: Science Applications International Corporation
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Sponsor:
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Topic: Engineering, Road, Road User
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Sub-Topic: Geometric Design, Highway Safety Improvement Program (HISP), Intersection Design/Safety, Low Cost Countermeasures, Pavement Safety, Pedestrian Safety, Road Departure, Road Safety Audits, Road Surface Conditions, Roadside Design/Safety, Roundabouts, Safety Countermeasures
This manual provides information on the costs and benefits of safety treatments on high-risk rural roads (HRRR). Agencies can use this manual to determine the f ... [ Read More » ]
Blog
This article provides important information about the benefits of snow fences, as well as, information about their design and construction.
... [ Read More » ]
Website
“Effective Snow Fences – Federal Highway Administration 1991 – Video VH-286 – Part 1, Benefits, is intended for chief administrative off ... [ Read More » ]
Journal-Trade-Magazine
“As the commitment to improve highway safety emerged in the late 1960s and the philosophy of safer roadsides and clear zones took hold nationally there we ... [ Read More » ]
Technical Guide/Manual
“This report, and the preceding study, The Elimination or Mitigation of Hazards Associated with Pavement Edge Drop-offs During Roadway Resurfacing, by J. ... [ Read More » ]