OVERVIEW OF CROSS SECTION DESIGN ELEMENTS

This overview paper provided an introduction to the symposium session devoted to cross section elements. In providing an overview of this important topic, the paper addressed the following components: a brief discussion of the most prominent cross section elements; the results of a limited international survey to identify representatitve parameters and procedures for these elements; an introduction to roadside design, with an emphasis on safety and the clear recovery area concept; a synopsis of each of the papers that was presented during this session; and a summary emphasizing the emerging cross section design issues and research needs.