Impact of Passing Lane Guidance through Angled Markings on Two-Lane Rural Highways

Previous research has shown that the provision of low-cost measures, such as passing lanes, can be highly cost-effective in improving the level of service of two-lane highways, by increasing passing opportunities and safety. The passing lanes, such as Super 2 highways adopted by Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) are beneficial in dispersing platoons at locations where passing sight distance is shorter than the designated passing zones. However, drivers should be informed, educated, and receptive to such design changes to have any positive impact on driving behavior and safety on these highways. In addition, the adopted pavement markings or design features used along passing lanes should be intuitive and considerate of human factors. Therefore, it is essential to investigate drivers’ perception and behavioral response to design changes in the passing lanes, such as any transitional lane markings, to ensure the desired safety and operational benefits prior to the installation at selected sites.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $92,499.00
• Contract Numbers:

  RE-0933-01

  C2261

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Kansas Department of Transportation

  Eisenhower State Office Building
  700 SW Harrison Street
  Topeka, KS  United States  66603-3754
• Performing Organizations:

  University of Kansas Center for Research, Incorporated

  2291 Irving Hill Drive, Campus West
  Lawrence, KS  United States  66045
• Principal Investigators:

  Kondyli, Alexandra

• Start Date: 20250901
• Expected Completion Date: 20261231
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Driving behavior; Highway design; Passing lanes; Rural highways; Two lane highways
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01976349
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Kansas Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: RE-0933-01, C2261
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jan 15 2026 1:01PM