ITS YOUR MOVE. DO KNOW HOW TO PLAY BY THE RULES?

Kentucky
Transportation
Center
A Technology Transfer
Newsletter for Local
Transportation Agencies
Vol. 24, No. 2
Summer 2008
Low Cost Safety Improvements
M3
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ITвЂ™S YOUR MOVE. DO U
KNOW HOW TO PLAY BY
THE RULES?
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DonвЂ™t Leave Safety to
Chance
Improve Visibility & Reduce Roadside Hazards
S
ummer is heating up and travelers
are hitting the roads. No matter
the season, traffic collision
research shows that poor visibility and roadside hazards
play a significant role in determining whether drivers
reach their destination safely and securely.
Inside this issue we look at the new Revisions 2 to
the 2003 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD). We examine how assessing and addressing
the retroreflectivity of signs on roadways can improve
visibility and reduce accidents.
We also explore low cost safety improvements that can
dramatically reduce roadside hazards. Is your community using the free Kentucky Safety
Circuit Rider Program to help reach safety goals? ItвЂ™s good to know youвЂ™re not playing it
alone.
Whether itвЂ™s peak summer travel time or frost is in the air, donвЂ™t let another season pass
your community by without knowing youвЂ™ve done everything you can to increase sign
visibility and reduce roadside hazards. Improved roadway safety makes us all winners.
MUTCD, continued on page 10; Roadside Hazards, continued on page 2
INSIDE:
Johnson County and the
City of Paintsville:
Communities at Work
Profiles, pages 3 & 4
Low Cost Safety Improvements
for Rural Roads
Reducing the Danger of Roadside Hazards
Kentucky Safety Circuit Rider Program
W
The Kentucky
Safety Circuit
Rider (SCR)
Program
is a mobile
outreach effort
that provides
face to face
transportation
safety
workshops
for local
government
staff. The
program is in
Lance Meredith, Kentucky
its third year
Safety Circuit Rider
of operation,
with demonstrable success reducing
injuries and fatalities on rural roads in
participating counties. The program brings
together resources such as: technical support,
training; and the coordinated transfer of
technologies from partners at the local,
state and federal level--all of which help
communities implement low cost critical safety
improvements. Is your community using the
Kentucky SCR Program? if not, why not?
why wait? Give Lance a call and see how he
can help improve safety in your community.
hen it comes to dealing with
roadside hazards, the best offense
is a good defense. There were 864
fatal crashes in Kentucky in 2007. Knowing
how to recognize deficiencies along roadways
is a critical first step for selecting appropriate
countermeasures.
How the Numbers Stack Up
About one in every three of all highway
fatalities is the result of a single vehicle runoff-the road crash. Roadside quality is a key
factor for improving safety on rural two-lane
highways. Additionally, drivers may leave the
roadway as a result of the following:
w
w
w
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Human Factors
Driver limitations contribute to accidents
involving roadside hazards. Research such as
the National Cooperative Highway Research
ProgramвЂ™s (NCHRP) Synthesis 321 вЂњRoadway
Safety Tools for Local AgenciesвЂќ and
вЂњSynthesis of Highway PracticeвЂќ indicate that,
as a general rule, drivers are able to
w perceive two or more events per
second
w make one to three decisions per
second
w and take 30 to 120 actions per
minute
Contact:
Kentucky Safety Circuit Rider
Lance Meredith
lmeredith@engr.uky.edu
859-257-7405
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driver error or inattention
collision avoidance
roadway condition
vehicle component failure
Roadside Hazards, continued on page 6
Spring 2006
Summer 2008
Johnson County:
Maximizing Resources and
Manpower Through
Careful Management
вЂњY
ouвЂ™re not a politician,вЂќ his wife had to
remind him. In fact, when R.T. вЂњTuckerвЂќ
Daniel, at the urging of local colleagues,
ran for the office of Judge/Executive in
Johnson County, he was taking a leap of faith. вЂњI had
no idea what I was getting into,вЂќ recalls Judge Daniel.
What was to unfold was the beginning of a long
and unpredictable
battle--not at all what
this retired President
of the Kentucky/West
Virginia Natural Gas
Company had expected.
Sitting across the desk
from Judge Daniel in
the Johnson County
Courthouse, and listening
to the story of how he got
to a record third term in
office, is fascinating and
Johnson County Judge/
brings to mind a modern
Executive R.T. вЂњTuckerвЂќ
day Eliot Ness of sorts.
Daniel
It wasnвЂ™t prohibition or Al Capone that Judge Daniel
was up against, but the pressures and odds against him
must have been no less daunting. вЂњWe went from a
county that couldnвЂ™t pay our bills to now, according to
the State Auditor, weвЂ™re in the best shape of anyone in
the Commonwealth,вЂќ begins Judge Daniel. вЂњ125 miles
of our roads were gravel when I started. Now, all are
blacktopped except a couple of the new ones.вЂќ
This turnaround didnвЂ™t come easily. Judge DanielвЂ™s
mixture of вЂњcan doвЂќ attitude and practical business
sense no doubt helped him translate his 32 years of
corporate experience into an administration that uses
fiscal stewardship and accountability as a litmus test
for decision making. вЂњNow that IвЂ™m here, I canвЂ™t get
out,вЂќ Judge Daniel says with a laugh. Local residents
see the impact of the countyвЂ™s work in their daily
lives-- from improved roads, to better funded schools.
Spring 2006
Summer 2008
Johnson County Courthouse, in downtown
Paintsville.
Johnson County
Johnson County, sandwiched between Morgan
and Magoffin Counties to the west and Martin
County to the east, has over 300 miles of roads to
maintain. The county, like the City of Paintsville
(see article page 4), has experienced substantial
growth and carefully manages funds and manpower
to accomplish more these days.
вЂњThese guys deserve the credit,вЂќ Judge Daniel says
of Johnson County Manager of County Roads &
Field Operations, Sam Auxier; and Coordinator of
Administrative Services, Willard Burton. вЂњNow
about 95% of our roads in Johnson County are paved
and we maintain everything with a crew of fifteen,вЂќ
says Auxier. Burton quantifies their manpower
further by adding вЂњthatвЂ™s 170 years of combined work
experience for the Fiscal Court.вЂќ
вЂњWe pretty well replaced all wooden bridges and now
we mainly maintain, clear brush, patch, clear ditches,
etc.,вЂќ explains Auxier of the day to day functions of
his department. ItвЂ™s not always easy. One problem
faced from time to time is embankment failures
and slips. Auxier has seen all sorts of such events
occur during his sixteen years dealing with the areaвЂ™s
steep terrain. вЂњEither the hillside slides off the road
or else into the creek,вЂќ he says with a wry smile.
вЂњThereвЂ™s nothing much preventive we can do in those
situations. FEMA will pretty much only give us
funds to clear debris above the roadway. They wonвЂ™t
help build walls.вЂќ
Johnson County, continued on page 5
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The City of Paintsville:
A Growing Community with a Lot of Heart
T
he City of Paintsville, in Johnson
County, may have a population of only
5,300, but there is nothing small about
their plans. The downtown is bursting
with 150 flowering
baskets, there is a
growing industrial park,
and new businesses are
burgeoning just outside
the downtown area.
and administer SRTS programs which allow
communities to compete for funding for local
SRTS projects.
Situated on the banks
of the Big Sandy River
and circumnavigated by
Paint Creek, Paintsville
is working hard to
keep the character of
the community, while
Paintsville City Mayor
embracing the economic
Bob Porter
development that has been occurring.
Mayor Bob Porter took office in January 2007,
and already has an armвЂ™s length worth of projects
he would like to see accomplished. вЂњIn this day
and time with limited state budgets, we have to
ask ourselves вЂ�What can we do to take care of
ourselves?,вЂ™вЂќ Mayor Porter says.
To that end the city is building partnerships and
making the most of existing programs such as Safe
Routes to School (SRTS) Funding and Renaissance
Kentucky. вЂњWeвЂ™ve received funding for over 600
feet of new and repaired sidewalks throughout
town and new crosswalks,вЂќ said Mayor Porter,
вЂњWeвЂ™ve got a busy downtown area and a lot of
school children here.вЂќ
About Safe Routes to School Funding
The SRTS Program was established in August 2005
as part of the most recent federal transportation
re-authorization legislation--SAFETEA-LU. This
law provides multi-year funding for the surface
transportation programs that guide spending of
federal gas tax revenue. Section 1404 of this
legislation provides funding (for the first time)
for State Departments of Transportation to create
The
administration
of Section
1404 has
been assigned
to FHWAвЂ™s
Office of
Safety, which
is working in
One of PaintsvilleвЂ™s Safe
collaboration
Routes to School Projects.
with FHWAвЂ™s
Offices of Planning and Environment (Bicycle and
Pedestrian Program) and the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to establish
and guide the program. For more about the SRTS
Program visit www.saferoutesinfo.org.
Paintsville isnвЂ™t stopping with its successful SRTS
Program, though. вЂњWeвЂ™ve been looking at several
projects downtown,вЂќ says Mayor Porter. The city
has acquired Renaissance Kentucky funding and has
an active Main Street Program. вЂњWe have received
a transportation grant for decorative street lights and
have a bid in on that,вЂќ stated the Mayor. The city is
also hoping to create an arts center in a downtown
historical building to house community theater and
boost income for the area.
With new subdivisions, new businesses and an
expanding industrial park, the city is planning for
the future of the transportation infrastructure as
well. вЂњPart of our Six-Year Road Plan includes
redoing West 40 to the 321/460 intersection,вЂќ
explains Mayor Porter, вЂњThere are several bad
curves there and the project would provide better
access for the public, and allow traffic to the
hospital.вЂќ A similar expansion project has already
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Paintsville, continued on page 5
Spring 2006
Summer 2008
Paintsville, continued from page 4
been completed on 40E and addressing the western
route will no doubt further increase safety and
access to Paintsville. The city is also looking for
solutions to relieve congestion on 321.
Paintsville serves as a shopping hub for a five
county area and attracts visitors from out of the
region and out of state to see Loretta LynnвЂ™s
birthplace, Mountain Homeplace and unique water
sports facilities in the area. вЂњI think we are on
our way,вЂќ says
Mayor Porter of
the communityвЂ™s
prospects.
вЂњIt certainly
will create an
impact on our
transportation,
especially as
we expand the
museum and
have more music
related events.вЂќ
Paintsville City Hall, is an
adaptive reuse project, making
In anticipation of
the most of a former bank
that growth, Street
building donated to the city.
Superintendent
Joe Keaton works closely with the Mayor and City
Commission. вЂњWe have our own paver and black
topping equipment,вЂќ says Mayor Porter. KeatonвЂ™s
budget for the coming year includes a new salt
spreader. вЂњThe Street Department has really been
able to maintain very well,вЂќ Mayor Porter says of
KeatonвЂ™s crew.
There are also challenges being faced such as
drainage. Again, the steep terrain of the area
comes into play. вЂњThere are areas of streets at
the base of hills in the city that would be very
expensive to correct; and stormwater drainage
issues are costly,вЂќ explained Mayor Porter. вЂњWeвЂ™re
doing our best and IвЂ™m proud of our city.вЂќ
Mayor Porter and Superintendent Keaton
are working closely with the rest of the cityвЂ™s
departments to plan for the areaвЂ™s growth and the
impact it will have on their transportation system.
The Paintsville Street Department currently has
12 crew members with 53 years of combined
experience. n
Spring 2006
Summer 2008
Johnson County, continued from page 3
Judge Daniel and Auxier are both proud of the
improvements made over the past several years both
in equipment and manpower. The Road Department
now leases its equipment, has fewer breakdowns,
and finds itself spending much less of the budget on
repairs. вЂњWeвЂ™ve got a new paver, two rollers, two
dump trucks, a new grader, two Mac trucks that we
just got a few months ago; and two International
single axle dump trucks,вЂќ Auxier itemizes. Auxier
also carefully manages his manpower, which is
critical during winter months. вЂњAfter a typical
snowfall we can clear all our roads in 10 hours. The
men all have routes and know where every mail box
is,вЂќ Auxier remarks proudly of his crew. вЂњRight now
we have seven fully equipped pickups with snow
plows and salt spreaders.вЂќ
Every season finds his crew busy and poses its own
particular challenges. вЂњTractor mowers are out right
now,вЂќ states Auxier. He estimates his crew covers
300 miles, which is actually 1,200 miles, considering
they mow most areas in four passes. вЂњWe do that
two to three times a year,вЂќ adds Auxier.
It takes careful oversight and management to
stretch budgets and see that a variety of work gets
done. вЂњWe have our own equipment and do our
own work,вЂќ Auxier explains. His department isnвЂ™t
limited to the roads alone, though. вЂњWe do other
work projects as needed for the county,вЂќ says Auxier.
вЂњIn 2002, we closed the VanLear Landfill Project.вЂќ
Judge Daniel beams when he talks about the Road
Department and other work being done in Johnson
County. вЂњThe way I see it,вЂќ Judge Daniel observes,
вЂњif it makes sense do it, if it doesnвЂ™t then donвЂ™t. ItвЂ™s
important to hire good people and then let them do
their work.вЂќ
Judge Daniel actively supports transportation in
Kentucky. He serves on the Advisory Board of the
Kentucky Transportation Center. Sam Auxier and
Willard Burton are both graduates of the Roads
Scholar and Road Master Program. Johnson
County has also utilized the Kentucky Safety
Circuit Rider Program to identify low cost safety
improvements. n
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Roadside Hazards, continued from page 2
However, drivers also
w commit at least one error every two
minutes
w are involved in a hazardous situation
every two hours
w have one or two near collisions per
month, and
w average one crash every six years.
STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO REDUCE
ROADSIDE HAZARDS
1. Tree Removal and Restriction
Seventy-seven percent of fatal tree crashes
occur on rural roads. According
to the Transportation Research
Board (TRB) NCHRP Report 440,
there is a measurable reduction in
accidents on congested rural twolane highways as trees are cleared or
relocated further from the roadway.
Accidents involving trees can be
reduced by as much as 22 percent
by increasing their distance from
the roadway by as little as three
feet. By increasing the tree obstacle
distance to 13 feet on rural twolane highways, fatalities are further
reduced by a whopping 66 percent
and non-fatal accidents by 20
percent.
2. Relocation of Utility Poles
Utility poles that are close to the edge
of the pavement can be serious roadside
hazards. By increasing the offset distance,
tangible reductions in both fatal and non-life
threatening injury accidents can be reduced.
There is a direct correlation between the
distance a pole is relocated from the roadway
and the expected percent reduction in utility
pole crashes. Increasing the pole offset
from four feet to 15 feet can reduce crashes
involving utility poles by 73 percent.
3. Breakaway Sign Supports and
Street Light Poles
Another potential set of roadside hazards that
agencies can address are sign supports and light
poles. It is critical that supports and poles are
offset an adequate distance from the roadway and
that they are constructed of breakaway materials.
In determining adequate offset distance, it is
important to note that curb and gutter do not
change clear zone requirements. Clearing or
relocating sign supports and street light poles
produces considerable reductions in obstacle
accidents as well. For example, an increase in the
offset distance from the roadway of three to 10 feet
produces 14 to 40 percent reductions in accidents
respectively. When the situation is such
that relocation is not feasible, NCHRP
500, Volume 6, Strategy 15.1 B3 advises
that highway agencies delineate these
hazards with markers or retroreflective
tape.
4. Mail Boxes
It is important that agencies work with
the public to remove dangerous mail
box configurations from roadsides.
Mail boxes embedded in cement blocks
or mounted on supports not intended
for that application (i.e. a hardened
steel pipe) can pose a serious roadside
hazard. Mail boxes should be mounted
on approved breakaway supports.
5. Outdated Roadside Hardware
As agencies inventory potential roadside hazards,
antiquated guardrails and terminals should be
targeted for replacement. An outdated BCT
Terminal End is a serious risk to drivers. By
replacing it with a NCHRP 350 compliant end
terminal the damage a vehicle and driver might
sustain can be mitigated substantially.
6. Drop-offs and Non-Recoverable Slopes
Properly addressing sudden drop-offs, power
poles in the toe of ditches, and non-recoverable
slopes can prevent accidents from occurring and
reduce property damage and injuries. For example,
Roadside Hazards, continued on page 7
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Spring 2006
Summer 2008
conditioning a roadside from a slope of 2:1 to a slope of 4:1 can reduce single-vehicle crashes and total
crashes due to sideslope by 10 percent. Taking that 2:1 slope to 6:1 can more than double that benefit to 21
percent as you come closer to a traversable slope.
7. Supplemental Pavement Markings
Rumble strips are an effective countermeasure to reduce the number of
vehicles leaving the roadway. As a supplement to pavement markings,
they provide a drowsy, inattentive, or distracted driver with a clear
warning that the vehicle has left its travel lane. This will in turn
allow some reaction time before the vehicle leaves the road. It has
been shown that adding rumble strips to a two-lane road can reduce
accidents by 49 percent as opposed to the 20 percent reduction seen
with pavement markings alone.
8. Rumble Strip v. Rumble Stripe
Just as important as picking the right tool for the right job is choosing
the best rumble application for the right circumstance. Rumble strips are effective supplements to pavement
markings, but can pose a hazard for bicyclists. When working with rural two-lane roads with limited width,
bare in mind that center line rumble strips are not effective countermeasures.
Rumble stripes are a relatively new pavement marking innovation. Mississippi has evaluated several
different sized rumble strips and striping patterns. They experimented with six inch, nine inch, 12 inch, and
the standard 16 inch rumble strips by installing them with the edge stripe located in the rumble strip. They
found that edge rumble stripes have the effect of moving vehicles over closer to the center line. Michigan
has experimented with the edge line painted over the shoulder rumble strip, making comparisons between
the visibility of this combined marking with that of a normal painted edgeline alone. They found that having
the rumble with the painted edgeline increased marking visibility for motorists.
9. Safety Edges
Many highway agencies leave an вЂњabruptвЂќ edge when resurfacing. NCHRP 500, Volume 6, Strategy 15.1 A8
prescribes the application of a shoulder treatment to reduce the number of accidents due to vehicles leaving
the roadway. A well designed safety edge helps errant vehicles maintain stability, particularly on roadway
re-entry.
An edge drop-off greater than three inches can create significant problems for
a driver venturing too close to the edge of the roadway. Adjusting the edge
of the pavement to a slope of 45 degrees or flatter, provides drivers with a
better chance of correcting a driving error without leaving the roadway or over
correcting.
10. Pavement Edge Rutting
Be aware of hazards posed by pavement edge rutting as well. Edge rutting
occurs on all sections of roads, although it is usually a small
percentage of road length. It is more common in curves, near turning
movements, and near mailboxes. The application of a safety edge
can correct pavement edge rutting before it leads to an accident.
Roadside Hazards, continued on page 13
Spring 2006
Summer 2008
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Quality Training: Highlights of Recent Programs
The training season is in full swing with a broad range of classes being held across the state.
For upcoming course dates and locations near you, see page 15 or visit us online at www.kyt2.com.
Traffic Management Through Signals, Signs & Markings
Traffic Management Through Signals, Signs & Markings
was held May 15th at the Center for Rural Development in
Somerset.
Small Bridges
Small Bridges took place May 22nd, at the Kentucky River ADD in Hazard.
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Spring 2006
Summer 2008
NEW Work Zone Traffic Control (WZTC)
Employee Qualification Courses
WZTC Technician Training
WZTC Supervisor Training
WZTC Technician
Training took
place April 10th,
at Rough River
State Resort Park.
WZTC
Supervisor Training
was held March 6th,
at Carter Caves State
Resort Park.
WZTC Train the Trainer
WZTC Train
the Trainer took place
May 14th, at Kentucky
Dam Village State
Resort Park.
Spring 2006
Summer 2008
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MUTCD, continued from page 1
Remember...
* All information can be obtained from the web site www.mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/
* All government and private sectors that work on or near the roadways will be
affected by these changes
* Implementation dates:
1. The new retroreflectivity requirements went into effect January 22, 2008.
2. Agencies have four years after that date to adopt the MUTCD changes; seven
years for the replacement of regulatory, warning and ground-mounted guide
signs; and ten years for the replacement of street name signs and overhead guide
signs. Therefore, 2018 is the deadline for agencies to have fully implemented the
changes.
New National Requirements
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD) is the national standard
for all traffic control devices on any street or
highway open to public travel. The MUTCD
requires signs to be either illuminated or made
with retroreflective sheeting materials. Most
signs in the U.S. are made with retroreflective
sheeting materials which degrade over time.
This means that many, with the passage of
time, fail to meet the needs of drivers at
night. Until this new ruling, there was little
information to guide state and local agencies on
how to decide when signs need to be replaced
due to retroreflectivity degredation.
Revision 2 of the 2003 Edition of the MUTCD
introduces minimum reflectivity levels that
must be maintained for traffic signs. It became
effective January 22, 2008. It provides
additional requirements, guidance, clarification,
and flexibility in maintaining traffic sign
retroreflectivity that is already required by the
MUTCD.
How Were the Minimum Standards
Determined?
The minimum retroreflectivity levels and
maintenance methods consider changes in
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the vehicle population (i.e. more SUVs have
increased the average height of headlights and
the driversвЂ™ eyes), headlamp design (current
headlamps are brighter, but have a different
illumination pattern), and the demographics
of drivers (we have an increasingly older
population). Nighttime visibility of traffic
control devices is becoming increasingly
important as our population ages. By the year
2020, about one-fifth of the U.S. population
will be 65 years of age or older. In general,
older individuals have declining vision and
slower reaction times. Signs that are easier
to see and read at night can help older drivers
retain their freedom of mobility and remain
independent.
Flexibility
The new rules provide a variety of
maintenance methods that agencies can use
to be in compliance. Therefore, agencies
have the flexibility to choose the maintenance
method that best fits their needs.
The minimum retroreflectivity requirements
do not imply that an agency measure each
and every sign. Instead, the new revision
describes methods that agencies can use to
maintain sign retroreflectivity at or above the
minimum levels.
MUTCD, continued on page 11
Spring 2006
Summer 2008
Agencies have four years to implement and use a management method that maintains traffic sign
retroreflectivity at or above the established minimum levels. They will have seven years to replace
regulatory, warning and ground-mounted guide (except street name) signs that are identified, using
their management or assessment methods, as failing to meet the established minimum levels. Ten
years will be allowed for the replacement of street name signs and overhead guide signs that agencies
identify using their management or assessment method as failing to meet the established minimum
levels.
Sheeting Materials
Sheeting types that can be used in accordance with the new requirements are as follows:
w All prismatic sheeting materials may be used for all signs.
w High Intensity Beaded (Type III) and Super Engineer Grade (Type II) may be used for all signs
except for the white legend on overhead guide signs.
w Engineer Grade (Type I) may be used for all signs except for:
w the white legend on guide signs,
w the white legend on street name signs, and
w all yellow and orange warning signs.
The FHWA sheeting ID guide is posted at www.fhwa.dot.gov/retro. n
Sheeting Type (ASTM D4956-04)
Sign Color
White on Green
Black on Yellow
or
Black on Orange
White on Red
Black on White
Beaded Sheeting
Prismatic Sheeting
I
II
III
III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X
W*; G>7 W*;G>15 W*;G>25
W>250; G>25
W>120; G>15
W*; G>7
Y*; O*
Y*; O*
Additional
Criteria
Overhead
Ground-Mounted
пїЅ
пїЅ
пїЅ
--
Y>50; O>50
Y>75; O>75
W>35; R>7
W>50
пїЅ The minimum maintained retroreflectivity levels shown in this table are in units of cd/lx/m measured
o
o
at an observed angle of 0.2 and an entrance angle of -4.0 .
пїЅ For text and fine symbol signs measuring at least 1200mm (48 in) and for all sizes of bold symbol signs.
пїЅ For text and fine symbol signs measuring less than 1200mm (48in).
пїЅ Minimum Sign Contrast ratio > 3:1 (white retroreflectivity пїЅ.. red retroreflectivity).
* This sheeting type should not be used for this color for this application.
2
Bold Symbol Signs
пїЅ W1-1, -2 -- Turn and Curve
пїЅ W1-3, -4 -- Reverse Turn and
Spring 2006Curve
Summer 2008
пїЅ W1-5 -- Winding Road
пїЅ W1-6, -7 -- Large Arrow
пїЅ W3-2 -- Yield Ahead
пїЅ W3-3 -- Signal Ahead
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пїЅ W4-1 -- Merge
пїЅ W4-2 -- Lane Ends
пїЅ W4-3 -- Added Lane
пїЅ W11-2 -- Pedestrian Crossing
пїЅ W11-3 -- Deer Crossing
пїЅ W11-4 -- Cattle Crossing
пїЅ W11-5 -- Farm Equipment
пїЅ W11-6 -- Snowmobile Crossing
11
KTC REPORT KTC-08-02
USE OF EDGE LINE MARKINGS ON RURAL TWO-LANE ROADWAYS:
THE EVALUATION OF PAVEMENT MARKING PERFORMANCE
w Objective: To review roadway characteristics and crash data in Kentucky and determine if revisions should be made to current guidelines for the use of edge lines.
w Background: The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) states
that edge line markings shall be placed on freeways, expressways, and rural
arterials with a traveled way of 20 feet or more in width and an average daily traffic
(ADT) of 6,000 vehicles per day or greater. The MUTCD also states that edge line
markings should be placed on paved rural arterials and collectors with a traveled
way of 20 feet or more in width and an ADT of 3,000 vehicles per day or greater,
and at other paved streets and highways where an engineering study indicates a
need for edge line markings.
w Conclusions:
1. Overall crash rates and fatal crash rates decrease dramatically on rural two-lane
roads as the lane width increases.
2. The percentage of single vehicle crashes increases as lane width decreases
with the highest percentage for lane widths under ten feet.
3. The percentage of single vehicle crashes is more than four times the percentage
of вЂњopposite direction sideswipeвЂќ crashes on roads with the most narrow lane
widths.
4. An analysis of several miles of road with a width of approximately 19 feet
between edge lines found that the crash rate did not increase compared to the
statewide rate for roads with nine and ten foot lane widths. The percentage of
single vehicle crashes on these roads decreased compared to roads with similar
lane width.
5. An edge line, with no centerline, can be placed on a narrow, low volume road
without increasing crashes and without causing a problem with opposite direction
crashes.
6. The ADT on roads with the most narrow lane widths (where an edge line with no
centerline may be placed) is close to that for a low volume road as defined in the
MUTCD.
7. A large percentage of roads do not have edge lines, and there is potential to add
edge lines to many of these roads.
w Recommendations:
Recommendations were made concerning the use of edge lines, centerlines, and
paved shoulders on rural two-lane roads with varying pavement widths. Rumble
strips should be placed where there is a paved shoulder. To maximize lane and
shoulder widths, consideration should be given to use of a rumble stripe where the
edge line is placed over a portion of the rumble strip. The recommendations would
result in an increase in the number of miles of edge stripes. However, this increase
in miles striped would be offset by decreasing the miles that are restriped each
year based on data that show many linesChanges
which are
acceptable
are currently
tostill
MUTCD,
continued
on page 13
included in striping projects. n
THE LINK
12
Spring 2006
Summer 2008
ItвЂ™s Pesticide Time: Make Safety Your Priority
With summer comes sunshine, warm nights...and serious work managing
roadside vegetation. Here are some safety measures you should follow when working
with pesticides.
Read the label and materials safety data sheet.
Wear the approved personal protection
equipment (PPE).
w Long sleeve shirts and long pants
(cotton), shoes and socks
w Head cover (rain hat)
Roadside Hazards, continued from page 7
It is important that highway agencies pay close
attention to roadway edges. Abrupt edges and
edge rutting have been the basis of many Board
of Claims lawsuits. Applying a safety edge and
maintaining shoulders to the pavement edge can
reduce tort liability during construction and after
project completion.
A Note on Edge Lines: The Kentucky
Transportation Guidance Manual provides
requirements for pavement markings on the
state highway system. It is noted that edge line
striping shall be installed on all state highways
where the average daily traffic (ADT) is greater
than 3,000, there is a minimum roadway width
of 20 feet on a two-lane roadway (excluding the
shoulder); and there is a minimum driving lane
width of ten feet on multi-lane roadways. (See
also KTC-08-02 Report on Edge Line Markings,
page 12).
To sum it up, as agencies consider ways to
reduce roadside hazards, remember вЂњMove
it, shield it, mark it!вЂќ It may not always be
possible to relocate, replace or correct every
potential hazard on the roadway. Move what
you can, shield what youвЂ™re able and provide
visible and effective markings.
Eye protection (chemical resistant
goggles)
w Gloves (Nitrile)
w Frontal protection apron
(Nitrile) or coverall
w
All of the above are required for loading and
mixing.
When spraying, refer to label requirements on
what to wear when applying a pesticide.
Also, remember to keep accessible
w Eyewash (water)
w Soap and water plus towels n
Publication Statement
The LinkВ© is
published quarterly by the Kentucky Transportation
Center, College of Engineering, University of Kentucky,
using funds from the Federal Highway Administration
and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The opinions,
findings, or recommendations expressed in this newsletter
are those of the Kentucky Transportation Center and do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Highway
Administration nor the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
nor the University of Kentucky. Any product mentioned
in The Link is for informational purposes only and should
not be considered as a product endorsement. Comments
may be addressed to: Kentucky Transportation Center, 176
Raymond Building, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
40506-0281. Phone: 859-257-7401 or 800-432-0719.
Staff include:
Paul Toussaint, Director, Kentucky Transportation Center
Patsy Anderson, Director, Technology Transfer Program
Mardi C. Miller, Publications/Marketing Manager,
Technology Transfer Program
Kentucky
LTAP Center
For more information contact:
Lance Meredith, Kentucky Safety Circuit Rider, at
lmeredith@engr.uky.edu or 800-432-0719. n
Spring 2006
Summer 2008
The Link
is printed
on recycled
paper.
THE LINK
13
Check out
your world
THE
T
A
RY
A
R
IB
L
The resources listed below focus on
retroreflectivity, nighttime visibility, and older
driver safety concerns. Please contact us to
borrow any of these materials or to request
resources on another topic.
CDs and Videos:
Materials on
Publications:
HQ1063.5.L56 2004 Developing Coordinated
Transportation Systems for Older Persons;
TL152.3.H69 2002 How to Help an
Older Driver: A Guide for Planning Safe
Transportation;
LTRC-414 Impact of Edge Lines on Safety of
Rural Two-Lane Highways;
TE228.L69 2006 Low
Cost Local Road Safety
Solutions;
TE7.S9 no.356 Pavement
Markings-Design and
Typical Layout Details;
HE5620.A24S2 2003 Safe
Mobility for a Maturing
Society: Challenges and
Opportunities;
HE5620.A24T73 2004
Transportation in an Aging Society: A Decade of
Experience;
KRR-KTC-08-02 Use
of Edge Line Markings
on Rural Two-Lane
Highways;
FHWA-VTRC-05-CR3
Wet Night Visibility of
Pavement Markings.
.
THE LINK
14
Laura Whayne, Librarian
800-432-0719 or 859-257-2155
E-mail: lwhayne@engr.uky.edu
Fax: 859-257-1815
AV-CD123 ERGO 2001: Retroreflection
for Traffic Signs: An
Interactive Video Training
Tool;
AV-CD327 Mobility
Matters for Older Drivers.
AV-V802 Night Lights:
How Retroreflectivity
Makes Our Roads Safer.
10 min. Describes how
retroreflective materials on
roadways and traffic safety
devices improve visibility
and safety in a variety of
scenarios.
Internet Sites:
Nighttime Visibility: http://
safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_
dept/retro/
Enhanced Night Visibility
Series: http://www.tfhrc.gov/
safety/hsis/pubs/envseries.htm
Retroreflectivity General
Information: http://safety.fhwa.
dot.gov/roadway_dept/retro/
gen/gen_info.htm
Older Drivers вЂ“ FHWA Safety: http://safety.
fhwa.dot.gov/older_driver/
NHTSA Traffic Safety: Older Drivers Program:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/men
uitem.31176b9b03647a189ca8e410dba046a0/
ATSSA Retroreflectivity Clearinghouse: http://
www.atssa.com/page.ww?name=Home&sectio
n=Retroreflectivity
Additional publications on these and other
topics can be found by searching TRIS Online:
http://ntlsearch.bts.gov/tris/index.do
For a listing of all the videos in
the KTC Library, call for a free copy of
our 2005 Video Catalog or check it out
online at www.kyt2.com/library.htm.
Springn
2006
Summer 2008
NOTE: Payment is due at time of registration for all participants, with the exception of KYTC employees.
TRAINING CALENDAR
August - October 2008
* Indicates Roads Scholar course
# Indicates Road Master course
**Indicates Central Standard Time Zone
August
6
7
12
13
14
14
19
20
21
21
26
26
27
27
28
28
Communications I................................................................................Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz***
Communications II..............................................................................Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz#**
Traffic Management Through Signals, Signs, and Markings.........Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg*
KEPSC Introductory Course.............................................................Kenlake State Resort Park, Hardin
KEPSC Inspector Qualification Training & Testing......................Kenlake State Resort Park, Hardin
Customer Service *FULL*.................................................................Holiday Inn North, Lexington*
Managing People I................................................................................Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz***
Managing People V..............................................................................Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz***
Drainage: The Key to Roads that Last.............................................Receptions, Inc. South, Erlanger*
Work Zone Supervisor Training/Qualification...............................Springs Conference Center, Owensboro**
Defensive Driving................................................................................Capital Plaza Hotel, Frankfort#
Work Zone Technician Training/Qualification...............................Hilton Garden Inn, Bowling Green**
KEPSC Introductory Course.............................................................Four Points Sheraton, Lexington
Work Zone Supervisor Training/Qualification...............................Hilton Garden Inn, Bowling Green**
Basic Work Zone Traffic Control and Flagger *FULL*................Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Slade*
KEPSC Inspector Qualification Training & Testing......................Four Points Sheraton, Lexington
September
4
9
9
10
11
16
17
18
18
18
23
24
25
30
Small Bridges.........................................................................................Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz#**
Environmental Awareness *FULL*..................................................Kentucky River ADD, Hazard#
Work Zone Technician Training/Qualification *FULL*...............Four Points Sheraton, Lexington
Work Zone Supervisor Training/Qualification *FULL*...............Four Points Sheraton, Lexington
Erosion and Sediment Control..........................................................Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Mt. Olivet#
Basics of Hot-Mix Asphalt Highway Construction *FULL*.......Center for Rural Development, Somerset*
KEPSC Introductory Course.............................................................Home BuilderвЂ™s Association of Owensboro**
Basic Work Zone Traffic Control and Flagger................................Four Points Sheraton, Lexington*
Drainage: The Key to Roads that Last.............................................Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg*
KEPSC Inspector Qualification Training & Testing......................Home BuilderвЂ™s Association of Owensboro**
Snow & Ice Removal...........................................................................Kentucky Dam Village State Park, Gilbertsville#**
Roadside/Vegetation Management...................................................Kentucky Dam Village State Park, Gilbertsville#**
Managing People II *FULL*..............................................................Ramada Inn & Convention Center, Lexington*
Risk Management/Tort Liability *FULL*........................................Barren River Lake State Park, Lucas***
October
1
2
7
9
15
16
16
21
23
28
28
29
30
Managing People I................................................................................Kentucky River ADD, Hazard*
Developing Leadership Skills *FULL*.............................................Kentucky River ADD, Hazard#
Basic Work Zone Traffic Control and Flagger................................Holiday Inn Express, Elizabethtown*
Kentucky Transportation 101 *FULL*.............................................Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Mt. Olivet*
KEPSC Introductory Course.............................................................Carter Caves State Park, Olive Hill
KEPSC Inspector Qualification Training & Testing......................Carter Caves State Park, Olive Hill
Traffic Management Through Signals, Signs & Markings *FULL*...Executive West, Louisville*
Communications II *FULL*..............................................................Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin#
Construction of Concrete Pavements...............................................Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas***
Small Bridges *FULL*.........................................................................Ramada Inn & Convention Center, Lexington*
Work Zone Technician Training/Qualification...............................Center for Rural Development, Somerset
Work Zone Supervisor Training/Qualification...............................Center for Rural Development, Somerset
Developing Leadership Skills.............................................................Four Points Sheraton, Lexington#
To register for a class contact Nicole Worthy, nworthy@engr.uky.edu at 1-800-432-0719 or
859-257-7364.
Spring 2006
Summer 2008
THE LINK
15
Congratulations!
Horseman Family Welcomes New Arrival
Training Manager Martha Horseman is celebrating the arrival of her
second child, Lillian Grace Horseman, born Sunday, June 22nd, at 3:56
p.m. She weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz. and was 20 inches long. Lillian will be
welcomed home by her big sister, Madeline, age 3.
Meredith Celebrates First Grandchild
Lillian Grace Horseman
Lance Meredith, Kentucky Safety Circuit Rider, is now a grandfather. Abigail Grace was born
at 2:14 p.m. on May 15th. She weighed 8lbs. 4.25 oz. and was 20 inches long.
A Reminder Regarding Training Registration Fees
In order to continue providing quality training to all interested participants, please note that we must strictly
enforce payment of courses at time of registration. Thank you for your cooperation.
In This Issue:
Changes in the MUTCD..........................1
Roadside Hazards....................................2
Johnson County........................................3
City of Paintsville.....................................4
Training Highlights............................. 8-9
Kentucky Transportation Center
College of Engineering
176 Raymond Building
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0281
KTC Report: Edge Line Markings.........12
Pesticide Safety.......................................13
Check Out Your World.............................14
Training Calendar.................................15
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Lexington, KY
Permit No. 51

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