Guide for Preventing and Mitigating the Risk of Bridge and Tunnel Strikes by Motor Vehicles
NCHRP Research Report 1132: Bridge and Tunnel Strikes: A Guide for Prevention and Mitigation presents state-of-the-art information to assist state departments of transportation (DOTs) in the prevention and mitigation of bridge and tunnel strikes by overheight motor vehicles. The guide provides a risk-based approach that can help identify high-priority locations, diagnose factors contributing to the risk of bridge and tunnel strikes, select and prioritize countermeasures, and evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures. The guide also includes a roadmap for state DOTs and other transportation agencies to implement and maintain a national clearinghouse for data collection. The guide was developed based on an extensive review and study of the state of the practice. The research findings will be used by state DOTs and public safety agencies. Bridge and tunnel strikes inflict serious damage to vehicles, highway bridges, and tunnels; cause injuries and fatalities; and impose detours and costly delays on highway users. Attempts by state DOTs and other bridge and tunnel owners to prevent bridge and tunnel strikes include signing, lighting, height detection systems, and actuated warning devices. However, these efforts have achieved limited success. Furthermore, the lack of comprehensive information on the number, location, and severity of bridge or tunnel strikes limits understanding of their frequency, impact, causation, and potential mitigation. Research was needed to inform state DOTs about the best practices for preventing and mitigating the risk of bridge and tunnel strikes by motor vehicles. Under NCHRP Project 08-139, “Guide for Preventing and Mitigating the Risk of Bridge and Tunnel Strikes by Motor Vehicles,” the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee was asked to (1) develop a national data clearinghouse for collecting and analyzing data and communicating bridge and tunnel strike data and clearance information; (2) identify and evaluate implemented countermeasures used to prevent bridge and tunnel strikes; (3) develop a risk-based, data-driven approach to evaluate the risk of a bridge or tunnel strike; (4) develop prevention and mitigation strategies; (5) analyze the relationship between the vehicle-permitting processes and bridge and tunnel strikes; (6) develop training and outreach materials; and (7) develop a roadmap to implement and maintain the national clearinghouse. The research team developed a guide, training materials, and a web-based prototype national data clearinghouse for consideration by AASHTO.
- Record URL:
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Supplemental Notes:
- The final deliverables have been published as NCHRP Research Report 1132 and NCHRP Web-Only Document 411.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Completed
- Funding: $500,000.00
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Contract Numbers:
Project 08-139
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Sponsor Organizations:
National Cooperative Highway Research Program
Transportation Research Board
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
444 North Capitol Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Project Managers:
Abu-Hawash, Ahmad
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Performing Organizations:
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
College of Engineering & Applied Science
3200 North Cramer Street
Milwaukee, WI United States 53217 -
Principal Investigators:
Qin, Xiao
- Start Date: 20211001
- Expected Completion Date: 20240701
- Actual Completion Date: 20240701
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Best practices; Bridges; Countermeasures; Crash data; Guide clearances; Highway safety; Oversize loads; Risk assessment; State departments of transportation; Tunnels
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Data and Information Technology; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01739642
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
- Contract Numbers: Project 08-139
- Files: TRB, RIP
- Created Date: May 20 2020 3:01PM