Proven Countermeasures
There are many flexible, cost-effective countermeasures that are proven to reduce rural roadway departure (aka lane departure) crashes. They can be installed in various situations and on many types of roadways. Countermeasures can be used individually or in combination.
3 ways to prevent rural roadway departure deaths
FoRRRwD has three objectives for reducing the number or severity of rural lane departures – keep vehicles in the lane, reduce the potential for crashes if vehicles do leave their lane, and minimize severity if a crash does happen. There are specific countermeasures that apply to each objective.
Keep vehicles in their lane
Improve curve delineation
Friction treatments in curves and other spot locations
Edge line, shoulder & center line rumble strips
Reduce the potential for crashes
SafetyEdgeSM
Maintained clear zones
Traversable roadside slopes
Minimize crash severity
Breakaway Features
- Signs & Luminaire Supports
- Utility Poles
Barriers to Shield Obstacles
- Trees and Shrubbery
- Other Fixed Objects
- Slopes
Explore the Other Pillars of FoRRRwD
FoRRRwD is supported by four pillars that work together to reduce rural roadway departures on all roads. Click a pillar below to learn more.
ALL PUBLIC
ROADS
Roadway departure crashes are a major problem on all public rural roads. More than 40 percent of them happen off State networks.
Read more about All Public Roads »
PROVEN
COUNTERMEASURES
There are many flexible cost-effective countermeasures that are proven to reduce these crashes.
SYSTEMIC
APPROACH
A fundamental challenge on rural roads is that roadway departure crash locations are random and change from year to year.
Read more about the Systemic Approach »
SAFETY
ACTION PLANS
Documenting the systemic analysis into a simple safety action plan is a powerful way to prioritize safety improvements.
Read more about the Safety Action Plans »