Speaking

According to the Federal Highway Administration, West Virginia has one of the highest run-off-the-road crash frequencies in the nation. The state’s challenging terrain and sharply curved roadways are likely contributors to these crashes. Data from FHWA indicates that 53 percent of all fatal crashes in the United States were roadway departure crashes. Furthermore, 28 percent of all fatal crashes were associated with horizontal curves. In order to reduce these crashes, the FHWA has funded a roadway departure study in West Virginia. B&N worked with West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) to evaluate 260 miles of state and U.S. routes with highest run-off-the-road crash occurrences and identify potential low-cost solutions.

B&N’s Kendra Schenk will discuss:

• Methods used to collect the most accurate, up-to-date data in this challenging terrain including how to determine the advisory speeds for all curves within the study area using the new Curve Advisory Reporting Service (CARS^TM) technologies
• Practical design improvements that are cost-effective and have the potential to reduce run-off-the-road collisions
• Contract documents that address systematic and spot improvements and allow projects to move directly into construction