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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

General

Legacy ID
21

Systemic Approach to Rural Roadway Departures

Definition of Systemic

According to 23 USC 148(a)(12), the term "systemic safety improvement" means an improvement that is widely implemented based on high risk roadway features that are correlated with particular crash types, rather...

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...

Addressing Rural Roadway Departures on All Public Roads

If we are going to solve this problem, States must work with local agencies to reduce rural roadway departures (aka lane departures) on all roads.

Roadway ownership isn't always clear in the national crash data, so the pie chart below shows where these deaths occur based on functional...

Federal-aid Reimbursement Eligibility Process

Federal-aid eligibility letters written by FHWA are not required in order for a State DOT to install the device on any road and are not required for the State DOT to receive Federal-aid reimbursement for that device. FHWA issues these letters as a service to the State DOTs. If an interested...

Policies, Guidance, & Research

Where To Install Rumble Strips

Rumble strips solve a systemic highway safety problem (i.e., the target crash type are present on most roadways), so installing rumble strips on all paved roads offers potential safety benefit to motorists. Agencies typically focus on installing rumble...

Frequently Asked Questions

Definitions:

A center line rumble strip is a longitudinal safety feature installed at or near the center line of a paved roadway. It is made of a series of milled or raised elements intended to alert inattentive drivers (through vibration and sound...

PAVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

Keeping the Rumble in the Strips

Rumble strips are effective because the noise and vibration produced alerts drivers that they have left the traveled way. As a result, it is important to keep rumble strips operating properly. While milled rumble strips typically do not require...