The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is committed to saving lives and preventing injuries and has identified countermeasures from state and local agencies across the nation that have outstanding potential for improving highway safety. These are known as the "Nine Proven Safety Countermeasures."
The following information includes descriptions of the nine identified countermeasures, contact information, general cost information, benefits, and sources for additional information. The countermeasures are based on effectiveness data for various crash types compiled from a variety of sources. Their use reflects the types of circumstances and situations that FHWA is confident will yield high benefit/cost rewards on a project-by-project or systematic basis.
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Road Safety Audits
A Road Safety Audit (RSA) is a safety performance examination of an existing or future road or intersection by an independent, multidisciplinary team.
Cost: Very low. Costs are in the form of time and team coordination.
Data and Benefits: Crash reduction percentages up to 60% have been recorded on past projects where a RSA was done. Lifecycle costs are reduced since safer designs often carry lower maintenance costs. Safer roads and reductions in severe crashes reduce the societal costs of collisions.
FHWA California Contact: Randy Warden
On the web
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Rumble Strips and Rumble Stripes
Rumble strips are ground into the pavement and are outside of the travel lane. Rumble stripes are ground into the pavement and painted over with the appropriate striping.
Cost: Low. Cost will vary based on the application. Prices range between $0.20 and $3.00 per linear foot.
Data and Benefits: More than 50% of California’s fatal crashes are a result of road departure. This application provides an audible warning and physical vibration to alert drivers they are leaving the roadway. The application of rumble stripes or strips has shown good results in reducing run off the road (ROR) crashes.
FHWA California Contact: Matt Schmitz
On the web
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Median Barriers
Median Barriers separate opposing traffic on a divided highway and are used to redirect vehicles striking either side of the barrier.
Cost: Medium to high. Will vary depending on the material used. Cable barrier systems can be installed on average for $76,500 per mile.
Data and Benefits: Cross-median crashes can be some of the most severe and most result in a serious injury or death. Median Barriers can significantly reduce the occurrence of cross-median crashes and the overall severity of median-related crashes.
FHWA California Contact: Matt Schmitz
On the web
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Safety Edge
Safety Edge is a paving technique where the interface between the roadway and graded shoulder is paved at an angle to eliminate vertical drop-off.
Cost: Very low. The technique requires a slight change in the paving equipment (approximately $1,200).
Data and Benefits: Research between 2002 and 2004 shows that pavement edges may have been a contributing factor in as many as 15% to 20% of run-off-the-road crashes. When a driver drifts off the roadway and tries to steer back onto the pavement the action may result in over-steering. Safety Edge minimizes that occurrence by reducing the vertical angle between the shoulder and pavement.
FHWA California Contact: Ken Kochevar
On the web
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Roundabouts
Roundabouts are circular intersections with specific design and traffic control features that ensure low travel speeds (<30mph) through the circulatory roadway.
Cost: High. Installations may require additional right of way.
Data and Benefits: A reduction in serious crashes may justify the costs. Roundabouts offer substantial safety advantages and can reduce the occurrence of right angle crashes and have the potential to reduce fatal and injury crashes from 60% to 87%. Geometric features provide a reduced speed environment and excellent operational performance.
FHWA California Contact: Jeff Holm
On the web
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Left and Right Turn Lanes
Installation of turn lanes reduces crash potential, motorist inconvenience, and improves operational efficiency.
Cost: Medium to high. Some installations may require additional right of way.
Data and Benefits: Rear-end crashes are the most frequent type of collisions at intersections. Adding turn lanes provides separation between turning and through traffic and reduces these types of conflicts. It is desirable to offset opposing left turn lanes to increase visibility of approaching vehicles.
FHWA California Contact: Jeff Holm
On the web
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Yellow Change Intervals
Yellow change intervals should be appropriate for the speed and distance traveled at a signalized intersection.
Cost: Very low. Time and interagency coordination are required.
Data and Benefits: Yellow change intervals that are not consistent with normal operating speeds create a dilemma zone in which drivers can neither stop safely nor reach the intersection before the signal turns red. Increasing yellow time to meet the needs of traffic can dramatically reduce red light running.
FHWA California Contact: Matt Schmitz
On the web
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Median and Pedestrian Refuge Areas
Median and pedestrian refuge areas provide additional protection for pedestrians and lessen
their risk of exposure to oncoming traffic.
Cost: Low. Retrofit improvement, even lower costs for new roadway projects.
Data and Benefits: Pedestrian fatalities account for approximately 17% of all fatalities in California. Providing raised medians or pedestrian refuge areas has demonstrated a 46% reduction in pedestrian crashes. Raised medians or refuge areas are especially important at multi-lane intersections with high volumes of traffic.
FHWA California Contact: Ken Kochevar
On the web
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Walkways
Pathways, sidewalks, or paved shoulders should be provided wherever possible, especially in
urban areas and near school zones where there are high volumes of bikes and pedestrians.
Cost: Medium to high. Based on the amount and type of application.
Data and Benefits: "Walking along road" pedestrian crashes account for approximately 7.5% of all pedestrian crashes. The presence of a path, sidewalk or paved shoulder can provide a significant reduction in "walking along road" pedestrian crashes.
FHWA California Contact: Ken Kochevar
On the web
