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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
FHWA Highway Safety Programs

Design and Construction

Photo: Roadway EquipmentDuring conventional paving processes, pavement is constructed with vertical or near-vertical edges. The SafetyEdge℠ instead forms the edge of the pavement into a with a consolidated slope of approximately 30 degrees. This provides a strong, durable transition for vehicles that traverse the pavement edge and helps prevents pavement edge raveling. Research has shown this "transition from on-roadway surface to shoulder and back is so smooth it defies assignment of any degree of severity."

By including the SafetyEdge℠ detail while paving, this safety countermeasure can be implemented system-wide at little to no cost.

  • SafetyEdge℠ Design & Construction Guide – [HTMLPDF]. This guide shares the findings from ten demonstration projects in multiple states and other ad hoc projects in which the SafetyEdge℠ was implemented. The Guide provides information on the various elements to consider when designing and constructing pavement projects with the SafetyEdge℠, insights and lessons learned on previously constructed projects, and highlights items that may vary from conventional pavement design and construction.
  • Guide Specification for SafetyEdge℠ – [HTMLPDF]. This is an instruction guide detailing the cross-sectional dimensions, the construction methods, the equipment required etc., to incorporate a SafetyEdge℠ on a pavement.

FIELD REPORTS

  • Delaware SafetyEdge℠ Demonstration Project in Seaford – [PDF]. This field report documents the observations made on the construction of SafetyEdge℠ on a two-lane highway, warm mix asphalt (WMA) overlay project near Seaford, Delaware. SafetyEdge℠ paving devices from two manufacturers were demonstrated during this project.
  • Iowa HMA SafetyEdge℠ Demonstration Project in Jasper County – [PDF]. This field report documents the observations made on the construction of SafetyEdge℠ on a two-lane highway hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlay project on Route F62 between the villages of Sully and Lynnville, Iowa. The TransTech Shoulder Wedge Maker was demonstrated during this project.
  • Iowa PCC SafetyEdge℠ Demonstration Project in Fairview – [PDF]. This field report documents the observations made on the construction of the SafetyEdge℠ on a two lane highway Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) overlay project on County Highway E34 in the vicinity of Fairview, Iowa.
  • Maine SafetyEdge℠ Demonstration Project in Turner – [PDF]. This field report documents the observations made on the construction of the SafetyEdge℠ on a two-lane highway hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlay project in Turner, Maine. The Advant-Edger, TransTech Shoulder Wedge Maker, and TransTech Notched Wedge Joint Maker devices were demonstrated during this project.
  • Mississippi SafetyEdge℠ Demonstration Project in Columbus – [PDF]. This field report documents the observations made on the construction of the SafetyEdge℠ on a two-lane highway, hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlay project on State Route 182 near Columbus, Mississippi. The TransTech Shoulder Wedge Maker was demonstrated during this project.
  • North Carolina SafetyEdge℠ Demonstration Project on Brogden Road – [PDF]. This field report documents the observations made on the construction of SafetyEdge℠ on a two-lane highway, warm mix asphalt (WMA) overlay project on Brogden Road in Johnston County, North Carolina. The Troxler SafeTSlope Edge Smoother and a device developed by NCDOT were demonstrated during this project.
  • North Carolina SafetyEdge℠ Demonstration Project on Little Divine Road – [PDF]. This field report documents the observations made on the construction of the SafetyEdge℠ on a two-lane highway, hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlay project on Little Divine Road in Johnston County, North Carolina. The Carlson end gate device was demonstrated during this project.
  • Nebraska SafetyEdge℠ Demonstration Project in Kearney – [PDF]. This field report documents the observations made on the construction of SafetyEdge℠ on a two-lane highway, hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlay project near Kearney, Nebraska. The TransTech Shoulder Wedge Maker device was demonstrated during this project.
  • Pennsylvania SafetyEdge℠ Demonstration Project in Elizabethtown – [PDF]. This field report documents the observations made on the construction of SafetyEdge℠ on a two-lane highway, hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlay project near Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. The Advant-Edger device was demonstrated during this project.
  • Wisconsin SafetyEdge℠ Demonstration Project in Menominee County – [PDF]. This field report documents the observations made on the construction of SafetyEdge℠ on a two-lane highway, hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlay project in Menominee County, Wisconsin. SafetyEdge℠ paving devices from two manufacturers were demonstrated during this project.