01341184

Component

Passing on two-lane roadways is one of the more difficult movements a driver may perform. Guidance on where passing maneuvers are prohibited is given by the location of no-passing zones. Currently the processes for identifying no-passing zone locations can be daunting and many practices require work crews to operate in the roadway creating potentially hazardous situations. Due to these challenges, new alternatives need to be developed for the safe, accurate, and efficient location of no-passing zones on two-lane roadways. This paper addresses the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates to evaluate sight distance along the vertical profile of roadways to provide an alternative automated no-passing zone location system. A system was developed that processes GPS coordinates and converts them into easting and northing values, smooths inaccurate vertical elevation data, and evaluates roadway profiles for possible sight restrictions which indicate where no-passing zones should be located. The developed automated no-passing zone program shows potential in that it identifies the general location of no-passing zones when compared to existing roadway markings; however, as concluded by the researcher, further evaluation and refinement is needed before the program can be used effectively in the field for the safe, accurate, and efficient location of no-passing zones.

01329018

11-2061

English

16p

2011

Transportation Research Board 90th Annual Meeting

DVD

Figures (7) ; References (10)

Global Positioning System; Highway design; No passing zones; Sight distance; Two lane highways

Vertical alignment

Design; Highways; I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2011 Paper #11-2061

TRIS, TRB

Feb 17 2011 6:02PM