Effect of Bridge Width on Crashes in Nebraska

Bridges and bridge approaches sometimes are changed to accommodate increased traffic volume, lane expansion, maintaining adequate clearance, non-motorized accommodation, or for construction and maintenance cost optimization. Such changes may alter the relationship between bridge and approach widths and may impact the safety of the travelling public. The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) “Bridge Office Policies and Procedures,” initially published in January 2000 and revised in December 2016, serves as the reference and design guideline for NDOT bridge engineers, designers, detailers, and consultants working with the NDOT bridge office. However, NDOT staff lacks comprehensive guidelines regarding the impact of bridge and approach widths on crash frequencies and severities. A comprehensive research-based study is required to determine how bridge widths should be designed in relation to approach widths, while considering crash prevention and ensuring motorists have unrestricted mobility between bridge lanes.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $152230
• Sponsor Organizations:

  Nebraska Department of Transportation

  1500 Nebraska 2
  Lincoln, NE  United States  68502
• Project Managers:

  Halsey, Lieska

• Principal Investigators:

  Khattak, Aemal

• Start Date: 20240701
• Expected Completion Date: 20260531
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge approaches; Bridge design; Crash rates; Crash severity; Width
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01920537
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Nebraska Department of Transportation
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 4 2024 12:42PM