State Transportation Agency Median Design and Safety Practices: Survey Results (05-1416)
Eric T. Donnell, Pennsylvania State University
Warren Hughes, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) Roadside Design Guide and A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets provide guidance related to median design for divided highways. Much of the information contained in these documents, however, may not accurately reflect current field conditions or the current vehicle fleet. As part of a National Cooperative Highway Research Program project, a survey was distributed to all 50 States and the District of Columbia to gather information on the current practices, policies, and procedures of median design and barrier use. Specifically, issues related to median width, median side slope, and median barrier type and placement guidelines were solicited. Strategies that States use to combat median-related crashes were also identified. A total of 37 state transportation agencies responded to the survey. Findings from the survey indicate that approximately 76 percent of States have adopted AASHTO policy as median design barrier warrant standards. The strong-post w-beam guardrail and concrete safety shape are the most commonly used median barriers to prevent cross-median crashes. Innovative strategies commonly considered to prevent median-related crashes include rumble strips on the inside paved shoulder and median side slope flattening.