TITLE:
Evaluation of Transverse Markings as a Speed Transition Zone Countermeasures in Small, Rural Communities
AUTHORS:
Shauna Hallmark, Neal Hawkins, Skylar Knickerbocker
KEYWORDS:
Community Entrance, Converging Chevrons, Optical Speed Bars, Pedestrian Safety, Speed Transitions, Traffic Calming, Traffic Safety, Speed Management
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Transportation Technologies,
Vol.11 No.1,
January
26,
2021
ABSTRACT: Small
rural communities located along major state or county roadways typically find
most of the traffic along their main thoroughfares is pass-through rather than
local traffic. Unfortunately, drivers passing through these communities often
enter at high rates of speeds, which are often significantly higher than the
speed limit of the local segment. Speed management in rural areas requires
different considerations compared to urban areas and, within the US, rural
speed management is not as advanced with little experience or guidance for
agencies to draw on. This paper summarizes the results of a study that
evaluated, in part, several different types of transverse pavement markings
within the speed transition zones in small rural communities. Three different countermeasures
were evaluated: converging chevrons, transverse lane markings, and optical
speed bars.