Safety Impacts of Pavement Edge Drop-offs

Abstract

The research described in this report focuses on the magnitude and severity of collisions caused by pavement edge drop-off -- a type of run-off-road collision, evaluates federal and state guidance regarding when edge drop-offs should be addressed, and provides measures for the quantity and depth of edge drop-offs on representative rural two-lane roadways in the United States. This information is necessary and required for states and counties to determine economic benefits from addressing pavement edge drop-offs, to understand the importance of this aspect of the AASHTO Strategic Highway Safety Plan, and to subsequently focus the limited maintenance resources necessary to mitigate this roadway problem.