Local governmental agencies (cities and counties) are responsible for constructing and maintaining the majority of Oregon’s road mileage as well as insuring safe and efficient movement of traffic on local roads and streets. They are constantly faced with problems of limited funds and/or technical constraints in their task to properly identify, analyze and correct safety deficiencies on their roadway systems.
The purpose of this Handbook is to provide local roadway agencies with important information related to roadway safety features intended for use on roads and streets in rural and small urban areas. It will assist local road agency professionals in understanding the critical relationship between road users’ behavior, traffic control devices, roadside safety features, traffic crashes, and roadway safety.
It is recognized that funds for construction, maintenance, and operation of local road and street systems are limited; therefore, the Handbook is aimed at providing a rational balance between maximum safety and minimum cost.
Familiarity with the Handbook will enable one to:
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Understand the types and causes of traffic crashes
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Recognize potential roadway safety problems and be able to suggest appropriate remedies
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Select the most promising roadway safety improvements
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Identify conditions which may make some existing safety features ineffective
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Use proper procedures for installation and maintenance of roadway safety features and traffic control devices.
The Handbook will be of value to engineers, public works directors, maintenance personnel, technicians, street superintendents, county road supervisors, city managers, elected officials, and other local officials with road and street safety responsibilities. It will answer many of the questions public roadway agency personnel, decision makers and other local officials may have regarding roadway safety.
Prepared for:
Oregon Department of Transportation
Prepared by:
Mojie Takallou, Ph.D., P.E.
April 2010
Website:
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