Roadway design limitations
Many local roads were not built to serve
today's high-volume, high-speed traffic. Their safety is limited by hazards such
as sharp curves, poor signs and pavement markings, and lack of medians to separate
oncoming traffic. These limitations could present an even greater threat to highway
safety because of the expected growth in the nation's elderly population. By 2030,
the elderly population is projected to be one in five Americans. Automobile fatalities
are expected to increase 45% for drivers over age 75, and pedestrian fatalities
are also expected to increase as the population ages.
Both the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Transportation Research Board have
led the way for states to develop their own elder driver programs. The Transportation
Research Board published the first comprehensive booklet on older driver needs
and roadway improvements 10 years ago, and is currently updating it with the addition
of experiences from successful programs throughout the country. For more information
about this issue, read the Transportation Research Board's Special Report
218: Transportation in an Aging Society.
Providing
for the needs and capabilities of older drivers poses many challenges for transportation
officials. The FHWA has developed the Older Driver Highway Design Handbook
and a one-day workshop to address these issues. The handbook, including background
information, is available online at www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov.
The
example below shows how one state is making its roads more user-friendly for older
drivers, while at the same time benefiting all drivers in the community.
Florida's Elder Roadway User Program makes roads safer for older drivers
Overview
Florida leads the way in the implementation
of roadway improvement measures that particularly affect the state's ever-increasing
elderly population. According to Florida's DOT, individuals 65 years and older
currently make up 18% of the state's population. This figure will climb to 25%
by the year 2020. The state's DOT began the Elder Roadway User Program in 1992
to meet the needs of its elderly population. The program's goal is to help seniors
maintain their mobility and provide a system that is safer for them to travel.
The primary emphasis was to make roadway improvements that compensate for the
natural effects of aging that apply to driving, especially visual and decision
making skills. Short- and long-term improvements were initiated based on focus
group and other research data.
Florida DOT's maintenance personnel installed
- Six-inch-wide pavement markings for better visibility
- Reflective
pavement markings with 40-foot spacing, which is especially effective on rainy
nights
- Large overhead street signs at busy intersections
- Advance
street name signs
- Improvements to pedestrian features at intersections
-
Increased emphasis on effective traffic control through work zones
Results
While quantitative results are not available, qualitative
results are plentiful. A series of focus groups were convened before launching
the campaign, and the road improvement strategies described above were well-received
by elderly participants. According to a source at the Florida DOT, there was a
definite decrease in specific types of crashes once these strategies were in place.
Finally, these improvements are now a part of the state's regular road maintenance
program.
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