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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation
OFFICE OF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE TURNER-FAIRBANK HIGHWAY RESEARCH CENTER

Study Designs for Passing Sight Distance Requirements: Final Report

Publication Information

Publication External Link:
Publication Type:
Report
Abstract:

This report documents the results of an examination of the passing sight distance standards in "A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets", published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and the current sight distance requirements for marking passing and no-passing zones cited in the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" (MUTCD). Relevant findings in the available literature are summarized. The current AASHTO design standards and MUTCD marking standards related to passing sight distance on two-lane highways are described. Issues related to the current standards and practices are identified and discussed. This includes the results of a meeting of knowledgable authorities. Finally, three experimental plans that address three selected, critical issues are presented. These include (1) an accident-based analysis of current practices, (2) a field-based observational study of passing behavior to determine the adequacy of the current standards, and (3) a field-based observational study of passing behavior to determine if the minimum passing zone length of 400 ft (122 m) implied in the MUTCD is inadequate and to determine what the minimum passing zone length should be. These three plans may serve as a basis for future research.

Publishing Date:
April 1992
FHWA Program(s):
Research
Safety
AMRP Program(s):
Safety Data and Analysis
FHWA Activities:
Highway Safety Information System
Subject Area:
Safety and Human Factors