Methodology to Develop Median Barrier Warrant Criteria
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 132, Issue 4
Abstract
Median design policies for high-speed, divided highways are investigated to assess existing median barrier warrant criteria. Safety and cost-effectiveness analyses were conducted to determine relationships between median-related crashes and geometric and traffic operational variables. Count regression models were used to estimate the safety performance of divided highway sections with and without longitudinal median barrier. Crash severity models of cross-median and median barrier crashes were estimated using logistic regression. Modeling results were incorporated into a benefit-cost model to assess median design practices using Pennsylvania Interstate highway data. Although varying with traffic volumes, the installation of median barrier along roadway sections with median widths up to 21.3 m (70 ft) wide can produce safety and economic benefits.
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Acknowledgments
Data and partial financial support for this study were provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Highway Safety and Traffic Engineering. The writers wish to thank three anonymous reviewers that significantly enhanced the overall quality and clarity of the manuscript. The writers would also like to thank Dr. Venky Shankar for his insightful comments.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 132 • Issue 4 • April 2006
Pages: 269 - 281
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: May 10, 2004
Accepted: Aug 9, 2005
Published online: Apr 1, 2006
Published in print: Apr 2006
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