STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING ROADSIDE SAFETY

While there has been impressive progress to improve highway safety in the U.S. since the 1950s, there are still significant problems to be addressed. Roadside safety is one such problem. It accounts for about one-third of the fatalities and injuries and it has been estimated to impose an $80 billion dollar annual cost on the society. The NCHRP embarked on a comprehensive effort to address this problem in 1994. A distinguished group of professionals was assembled to review the problem, identify possible solutions, and define impediments to resolving the problem. This group determined that all aspects of the problem need to be considered in the search for means to address the problem. They subsequently sought inputs from other professionals knowledgeable about the roadway, driver, and vehicle aspects of the problem. They structured possible solutions to the roadside safety problem in the form of a strategic plan. This plan is based upon five missions, each having a series of goals and objectives. Specific actions that should be undertaken are identified under each objective. Needs of information or research were listed where additional actions that are believed important have been identified. The outline provides many "strategies" that can be undertaken to start addressing the problem now. It also provides a roadmap for efforts to increase awareness of the problem; establishes the information resources needed to monitor roadside safety; discusses measures that can keep the vehicle on the roadway and reduce the likelihood of a crash if a vehicle inadvertently leaves the roadway, and minimize harm if a roadside object is struck.