01620130

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/2638-05

Hydroplaning and the corresponding hydroplaning speed of a vehicle are critical road safety concerns. To avoid hydroplaning, nine technical measures are available. One of the most effective is the construction of skew superelevation runoff at the critical pavement section of a highway, especially in highway rehabilitation and reconstruction projects. The concept was introduced in the German RAS-L design guide of 1984; its implementation is found mainly in central European countries. Skew superelevation runoff was adopted in recent freeway projects, some of which are reconstructions of existing two-lane highways into freeways to address identified sections with high potential for hydroplaning. Its use under normal traffic has resulted in concerns about its safety and comfort effectiveness. To investigate the operational and safety performance of the constructed skew superelevation runoffs, accurate triaxial acceleration measurements were carried out on the Korinthos-Patra freeway in Greece for a combination of vehicles and speeds along these skew superelevation runoff sections. Resulting limitational thresholds were shown to be adequate for safe operation of the skew superelevation runoff. Vehicle occupant comfort thresholds, however, are narrow and require specific additional construction improvements when design values are not observed.

01629806

17-03447

English

pp 35–44

2017

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309441803

Digital/other

Figures (9) ; Photos; References (29) ; Tables (3)

Acceleration (Mechanics); Freeways; Highway safety; Hydroplaning; Pavement design; Runoff; Skewed structures; Superelevation

Greece

Design; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Pavements; Safety and Human Factors

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 8 2016 11:18AM

• Development and Testing of the Manitoba Constrained Width Tall Wall Barrier
• Development of a Test Level 3 Transition Between Guardrail and Portable Concrete Barriers
• Driving Simulator Study of J-Turn Acceleration–Deceleration Lane and U-Turn Spacing Configurations
• Effective Measures to Restrict Vehicle Turning Movements
• Estimating Total Maximum Daily Loads with the Stochastic Empirical Loading and Dilution Model
• Functional Classification System to Aid Contextual Design
• Limitations of Traditional Capacity Equations for Long Curb Inlets
• Potential Effects of Heavy Vehicles on Operations of Super 2 Highways
• Shades of Green: Modifying Sustainability Rating Systems for Transit Center Functionality
• Standard Midwest Guardrail System Placed at 1V:2H Slope Break Point or with Omitted Post
• Stopping Sight Distance and Available Sight Distance: New Model and Reliability Analysis Comparison
• Use of Laboratory and Field Data to Evaluate the Pier Scour Equation from Hydraulic Engineering Circular 18