Safety issue
Safety edge treatment
Roadway departure crashes account for approximately 50% of fatal crashes each year on the nation's highways. One type of roadway departure crash can be due to an edge drop between the paved surface and the gravel shoulder. A vertical edge drop as little as 2.5 inches can cause a driver to over steer in an attempt to reenter the pavement. Once the vehicle does enter the roadway it is an abrupt jump onto the roadway that can cause a vehicle to shoot into opposing traffic.
Safety design
Safety Edgesm is a sloped wedge of pavement added to the outside edge of a lane or outside edge of a paved shoulder. When done correctly, simply shaping the edge of the pavement to 30 degrees can eliminate the problem of vertical drop-off. The Safety Edgesm provides a smooth transition for all vehicles to return to the roadway. Studies testing the performance of Safety Edgesm indicate a 13% reduction in all crashes on rural two-lane highways.
Benefits
- Reduction in overall crashes on two lane rural roadways.
- Pavement is less likely to have edge failures.
- Low cost of installation.
- Less edge damage during construction.
- Smoother transition back onto roadway.
Where are they being used?
- Installed on asphalt highways with narrow or unpaved shoulders.