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Planning Guidance for the Installation and Use of Technology Devices for Transportation Operations and Maintenance

ENTERPRISE Transportation Pooled Fund Study

Curve Warning System Guideline 3 - Truck Rollovers on Ramps/ Curves

Purpose: To influence the behavior of commercial vehicle operators driving on ramps.

The planning guideline for curve warning systems are presented as one tool to assist agencies in selecting deployment locations, and are not a replacement for the planning or design process. Also, prior to deploying a Curve Warning System, ensure the basic requirements of the MUTCD (2009 Edition Chapter 2C. Warning Signs and Object Markers) have been met at the location of concern.

Engineering judgment should be used to assess potential implications that may result from installation of Curve Warning Systems. This planning guideline does not mandate the use of Curve Warning Systems.

1a. Crash Frequency Factor. The ramp/curve has a history of at least one truck rollover crash every 5 years. (1)

OR

1b. Crash Impact Factor. The roadway geometry, traffic pattern, or location of the ramp/curve is in a location where a rollover would have an unusually large impact, either to the driver of the vehicle or to other drivers or the local network.

AND

2a. Speed Factor. Vehicles have been observed to enter the ramp/curve at speeds that are unsafe. (e.g. trucks entering ramps at unsafe speeds).

OR

2b. There is evidence of near misses and/or rapid deceleration either within the ramp/curve or in the approach to the ramp/curve. (e.g. pavement skid marks, scrapes along guard rails)

Reference:

(1) Preston, Howard and Schoenecker, Ted. Potential Safety Effects of Dynamic Signing at Rural Horizontal Curves. Local Road Research Board, Minnesota Department of Transportation. 1999.