Study shows road markings deliver cost-effective road safety

Road markings are among the most cost-effective solutions to make roads safer. A recent study carried out for the American Glass Bead Manufacturer’s Association quantifies by just how much Despite only making up 23% of the US mileage, fatalities on America’s rural two-lane highways made up 57% of all traffic fatalities in 2009 — resulting in more than $77Bn in losses for that year alone. Moreover, a rural motorist is 2.7 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash per mile travelled than their urban
June 20, 2012 Read time: 4 mins
Jon Sproul, general manager of Swarco Industries

Road markings are among the most cost-effective solutions to make  roads safer. A recent study carried out for the American Glass Bead  Manufacturer’s Association quantifies by just how much

Despite only making up 23% of the US mileage, fatalities on America’s rural two-lane highways made up 57% of all traffic fatalities in 2009 — resulting in more than $77Bn in losses for that year alone. Moreover, a rural motorist is 2.7 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash per mile travelled than their urban counterpart.

The TTI study, entitled An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Wider Edge Line Pavement Markings, shows that, just by using six inch (15.25cm) line marking, instead of the still widely used four inch edge line, there is a dramatic improvement in safety and reduction of fatalities on rural two-lane highways.
In its recommendations, the TTI study says, “Agencies can use the results herein to develop a policy for six inch edge lines on their rural, two lane highways. Wider edge lines have been shown to reduce total crashes 15-30%, and fatal plus injury crashes 15-38%.

Comparative Benefit-Cost Ratios by Policy
Wider Edge Lines  
 $32.87-$55.20
 for every $1.00 invested
 Rumble Strips  $37.00-$46.00
 for every $1.00 invested
Chevrons  $8.60-$45.90
 for every $1.00 invested
RRPMs 
 $13.16    
 for every $1.00 invested
The study also looked at other road marking systems and assessed their safety and cost benefits, including rumble strips, chevrons, and raised retroreflective markers

In addition, the benefit-cost ratio for wide edge lines is $33 to $55 for each $1 spent, which is similar to rumble strips. If an agency is considering installing rumble strips as a safety countermeasure but concerned about the potential noise or pushback from the bicycle community, wider edge lines appear to offer similar results but without the concerns often associated with shoulder rumble strips.”

Many states have adopted wider edge lines on a variety of roads for a variety of reasons. The adoption has been slow and uncoordinated, without sound empirical findings to support their policy choice. The recent analysis of data from three states provides the necessary evidence to support the adoption of wider edge lines on rural two-lane highways. Based on the results of the cost benefit analysis above, state DOTs can now have further reassurance that their actions are in the best economic interest of society as well.

Since the safety benefits of wider edge lines are now better documented with rigorous statistical analyses, TTI says it would be beneficial if the MUTCD could be amended so that the minimum edge line width on rural two-lane highways was six inches. Agencies would then be able to implement the policy in a uniform and consistent manner.

Asked to comment on the TTI report, prepared on behalf of the 5963 American Glass Bead Manufacturer’s Association (AGBMA), Jon Sproul, general manager of glass bead and road marking material manufacturer 129 Swarco Industries and a member of the association, said the TTI report is a major contribution towards improving safety on the roads.

“While previous studies always found that edge markings have a positive impact on traffic safety, no reliable statistical data was available to support the hypothesis that wider edge lines further improve traffic safety. The TTI report is based on recent statistically sound data and several surveys conducted over the past decade. The findings confirm that an increase of merely two inches in the width of edge lines will provide better guidance and visibility and hence reduce the number of crashes on rural two-lane highways,” says Sproul and emphasises that road markings still remain among the most cost-effective and reliable solutions to make roads safer.


For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Substantial savings from smarter street lighting
    February 25, 2015
    As authorities strive to reduce expenditure and carbon emissions, Colin Sowman looks at some of the smart ways of managing street lighting while containing costs and maintaining safety. Street lighting can account for 40% of an authority’s energy consumption. So, faced with the need to reduce outgoings, some authorities are looking for smart ways of managing street lighting or even turning off swathes of street lights in the small hours. Back in 2008 the E-street Initiative report concluded that authorities
    Read More
  • American Traffic Solutions
    March 16, 2012
    The City of Edmonton in the Alberta province of western Canada has a system in place which American Traffic Solutions (ATS) believes exemplifies how a road safety camera programme should be operated. Edmonton’s programme began in September 1999 with six cameras rotating through 12 locations. Nearly 10 years later, at the beginning of 2009, provincial legislation was passed allowing police agencies in Alberta to use road safety cameras to enforce both red light and speed infractions.
    Read More
  • Developing ‘next generation’ traffic control centre technology
    July 4, 2012
    The Rijkswaterstaat and Highways Agency have joined forces to investigate what the market can do to realise an idealistic vision for traffic control centre technology. Jon Masters reports One particular seminar session of the Intertraffic show in Amsterdam in March was notably over subscribed. So heavy was the press to attend that your author, making his way over late from another appointment, could not get in and found himself craning over other heads locked outside to overhear what was being said. The
    Read More
  • Swarco acquires German glass bead manufacturer
    September 28, 2018
    Swarco has acquired German-based manufacturer Vialux Glasperlen and will use its glass beads to make road markings more visible at night, particularly on wet roads. Swarco has now obtained 100% shares in Vialux in a deal which it says will strengthen its glass bead portfolio. Philipp Swarovski, Swarco’s chief operating officer, says the agreement will allow Swarco to offer its customers even greater road safety. Daniel Sieberer, board member of Swarco and chief financial officer of the group, sa
    Read More

Highlighted Content