BACKGROUND: Roadside safety hardware testing is conducted in a controlled environment that does not consider human factors and driver reaction to specific delineation practices of roadside hardware systems and roadside obstacles. Some state departments of transportation have reported that enhanced continuous delineation of roadside barriers have resulted in reduction of crashes. However, there are no widely-accepted guidelines on the application of delineation practices that would contribute to a reduction of crashes.

There is a need to identify and evaluate current practices and develop guidelines for delineating linear roadside hardware systems and roadside obstacles to enhance safety. Implementation of these guidelines will improve safety and reduce damage to property thereby benefiting transportation agencies and motorists.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this research are to (1) develop guidelines for delineating linear roadside hardware systems and roadside obstacles to enhance safety and (2) propose draft language to update relevant documents.

STATUS: Researchh ins complete. Publication decision pending.