Effect of Centerlines on Prevailing Traffic Speeds on Low-Speed, Two-Lane, Two-Way Roads in Urban Contexts
Driving speed is an important factor that influences the safety of non-motorized road users (pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.). The impact of speed extends beyond influencing the severity of a crash; it also correlates with the likelihood of being engaged in a crash. According to the Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts 2021 report, speed is the most common cause of traffic fatalities in 2021, accounting for a total of 64 pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities out of 171 total fatalities that were caused by speed. Therefore, there is a continued desire reduce the prevailing speeds on urban streets that are likely to be utilized by non-motorized traffic. Prior research has shown that speed selection is affected by the driver’s risk perceptions. While centerlines provide separation of opposing traffic directions and improve lane positioning around curves, over hills, near railroad crossings, and crossing bridges, little is known regarding how centerlines impact prevailing speeds, particularly on low-speed, two-lane, two-way urban streets. The Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) requires that centerlines be placed on paved urban arterials and collectors with traveled ways of 20 feet or more and greater than 6,000 vehicles per day (vpd) and recommends their use (i.e., “should” condition) when volumes exceed 4,000 vpd. However, centerlines are not required on urban streets if the Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is below 4,000 vpd, and there is little additional guidance regarding the conditions for their use in such contexts. The principal objective of this proposed research is to determine the relationship between centerline presence and prevailing traffic speeds on low-speed, two-lane, two-way urban streets in Minnesota. This objective will be accomplished through a series of field studies to examine the variation in driver speed selection behavior due to the presence and absence of centerlines, while controlling for the effects of other influential roadway features such as width of the traveled way, surrounding land use context, non-motorized facilities or activity level, and other factors. The results will provide critical guidance to Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and local agencies concerning the utilization of centerlines on low-speed, two-lane, two-way roads in urban areas to accommodate the needs of all users.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $160000
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Contract Numbers:
1036336 WO16
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Sponsor Organizations:
Minnesota Department of Transportation
395 John Ireland Boulevard
St Paul, MN United States 55155 395 John Ireland Boulevard
St. Paul, Minnesota United States 55155-1899 -
Managing Organizations:
Minnesota Department of Transportation
395 John Ireland Boulevard
St Paul, MN United States 55155 -
Performing Organizations:
Michigan State University, East Lansing
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Institute for Community Development
East Lansing, MI United States 48824-1226 -
Principal Investigators:
Gates, Timothy
Dey, Kakan
Savolainen, Peter T
- Start Date: 20240722
- Expected Completion Date: 20260630
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Behavior; Center lines; Highway design; Operating speed; Traffic safety; Traffic speed; Two lane highways; Urban areas
- Geographic Terms: Minnesota
- Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01925262
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Minnesota Department of Transportation
- Contract Numbers: 1036336 WO16
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Jul 24 2024 10:18AM