Speaking

Since its establishment in 2012, the Fayette/Raleigh (West Virginia) Metropolitan Planning Organization (FRM) has systematically evaluated transportation issues and needs in its MPO area. FRM undertook a corridor prioritization study, which evaluated traffic volume, capacity, travel time, and safety data on key corridors in the region to determine where planning and improvement efforts should be focused in coming years. The first priority corridor was identified as U.S. Route 19 from Dunn Drive to Johnstown Road and WV 16 from U.S. Route 19 to Templeview Drive/Beckley Crossing. FRM then conducted its first corridor study to evaluate and identify capacity needs and safety improvements. 

Additionally, as West Virginia University Institute of Technology moved its campus to Beckley, FRM conducted a study within the campus area to determine needs and recommend improvements related to the anticipated increase in pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The intersections of Robert C. Byrd Drive (U.S. Route 19) and Prince Street and Neville Street were also evaluated for pedestrian access and safety needs and improvements. 

This presentation will discuss the planning and study processes implemented for these studies, key findings and lessons learned.

The KYOVA Interstate Planning Commission is embarking on a study to identify traffic safety issues in Cabell and Wayne Counties in West Virginia and develop implementable plans to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes. This presentation will include the purpose and motivation behind the study and how the project team plans to approach this comprehensive project. The presenters will also share best practices for local road safety plans that will be integrated into this study.

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 53 percent of all fatal road crashes in the United States were roadway departure crashes and 28 percent of all fatal crashes were associated with horizontal curves. To reduce these crashes, the FHWA funded a pilot roadway departure study in West Virginia, which has one of the highest run-off-the-road crash frequencies in the nation. 

Burgess & Niple (B&N) engineers worked with West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) to evaluate 260 miles of State and U.S. routes with the highest run-off-the-road crash occurrences and identify potential low-cost solutions. 

For the final phase of this project before implementation, B&N was selected to review study findings and prepare contract documents for roadway sign and pavement marking improvements. This presentation will detail this phase of the project, including:

• Challenges faced during the review process and how they were overcome.
• The methods and technology leveraged for data migration, such as automated spreadsheets, to allow these improvement concepts to move directly into construction.
• The benefits of these methods to WVDOH and B&N as the consultant.