28 Proven Safety Countermeasures

You may request any of the PDFs from this page that are not linked.  Email your request to safety.programs@dot.ca.gov.

Speed Management:

Countermeasure	Resource
Speed Safety Cameras	FHWA - PSC Overview (Speed Safety Cameras)
Variable Speed Limits	FHWA - PSC Overview (Variable Speed Limits)
Appropriate Speed Limits for All Road Users	FHWA - PSC Overview (Appropriate Speed Limits for All Road Users) FHWA - USLIMITS2 - A Tool to Aid Practitioners in Determining Appropriate Speed Limit Recommendations FHWA - Self-Enforcing Roadways: A Guidance Report (PDF) TRB - Posted Speed Limit Setting Procedure and Tool: User Guide Caltrans - California Manual for Setting Speed Limits (PDF available upon request)

Roadway Departure:

Countermeasure	Resource
Wider Edge Lines	FHWA - PSC Overview (Wider Edge Lines) Caltrans - Implementation of Six-Inch Wide Traffic Lines (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - YouTube: 6-Inch Striping Enhances Safety (2017) Wider Edge Lines: Other Agencies Idaho DOT - Safety Impacts of Using Wider Pavement Markings on Two-Lane Rural Highways in Idaho (PDF)
Enhanced Delineation for Horizontal Curves	FHWA - PSC Overview (Enhanced Delineation for Horizontal Curves) Caltrans - TSB #20-01, Longitudinal Markings Policy (PDF available upon request)
Longitudinal Rumble Strips and Stripes	FHWA - PSC Overview (Longitudinal Rumble Strips and Stripes) Caltrans - TSB #20-07, Rumble Strip Guidelines (PDF) Caltrans - Environmental Analysis, Mumble Strips
Tapered Edge	FHWA - PSC Overview (SafetyEdge™) Caltrans - Implementation of Pavement Safety Edge (PDF available upon request)
Roadside Design Improvement at Curves	FHWA - PSC Overview (Roadside Design Improvement at Curves) FHWA - Roadway Departure Safety FHWA - Horizontal Curve Safety Caltrans - MASH Implementation Caltrans - Traffic Safety Systems Guidance (PDF)
Median Barrier	FHWA - PSC Overview (Median Barrier) Caltrans - Installation of Barrier on Two- or Three-Lane Facilities (Deputy Directive DD-50) (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - Traffic Safety Systems Guidance (PDF) TRB - Performance of Longitudinal Barriers on Curved, Superelevated Roadway Sections

Intersections:

Countermeasure	Resource
Backplates with Retroreflective Borders	FHWA - PSC Overview (Backplates with Retroreflective Borders) Caltrans - TSB #20-05, Yellow Retroreflective Border at Traffic Signal Head (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - YouTube: Reflective Backplates for Traffic Signals (2021)
Corridor Access Management	FHWA - PSC Overview (Corridor Access Management) FHWA - Intersection Safety, Corridor Access Management TRB - Design and Access Management Guidelines for Truck Routes: Planning and Design Guide TRB - Access Management Application Guidelines Corridor Access Managment: Other Agencies Minnesota DOT – Access Management Strategies and Resources
Left- and Right-Turn Lanes at Two-Way Stop-Controlled Intersections	FHWA - PSC Overview (Left- and Right-Turn Lanes at Intersections) FHWA - Safety Effectiveness of Intersection Left- and Right-Turn Lanes (PDF)
Reduced Left-Turn Conflict Intersections	FHWA - PSC Overview (Reduced Left-Turn Conflict Intersections) FHWA - Median U-Turn Intersection: Information Guide FHWA - Intersection Safety: Reduced Left-Turn conflict Intersections Caltrans - Intersection Control Evaluation TRB - Unsignalized Full Median Openings in Close Proximity to Signalized Intersections Mid-America Transportation Center - Evaluation of J-Turn Intersection Design Performance (PDF) Reduced Left-Turn Conflict Intersections: Other Agencies Minnesota DOT - Decreased Conflict Intersections North Dakota DOT - Reduced Conflict Intersections
Roundabouts	FHWA - PSC Overview (Roundabouts) FHWA - Intersection Safety: Roundabouts Caltrans - Complete Intersections Guide (PDF) Caltrans - Intersection Control Evaluation Caltrans - YouTube: Central Valley Roundabouts (2015) Caltrans - YouTube: How to Drive a Roundabout (2022) TRB - Roundabouts: An Informational Guide TRB - Crossing Solutions at Roundabouts and Channelized Turn Lanes for Pedestrians with Vision Disabilities: A Guidebook Roundabouts: Other Agencies: Alabama DOT - Roundabout Planning, Design, and Operations Manual (PDF) Kansas DOT - Accommodating Oversize / Overweight Vehicles at Roundabouts (PDF) Nevada DOT - Nevada Roundabout Implementation Guidelines (PDF) Texas DOT - Texas Roundabout Guidelines (PDF) Wisconsin DOT - Facilities Development Manual: Roundabouts (PDF)
Systemic Application of Multiple Low Cost Countermeasures at Stop-Controlled Intersections	FHWA - PSC Overview (Stop-Controlled Intersections) FHWA - Low-Cost Safety Enhancements for Stop-Controlled and Signalized Intersections (PDF) TRB - Safety Effects of Low-Cost Systemic Safety Improvements at Signalized and Stop-Controlled Intersections TRB - Developing a Guide for Quantitative Approaches to Systemic Safety Analysis Caltrans - Pedestrian Accessibility Guidelines for Highway Projects (DIB #82.06) (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - Complete Intersections Guide (PDF)
Yellow Change Intervals	FHWA - PSC Overview (Yellow Change Intervals) FHWA - Signalized Intersection Informational Guide (Second Edition) (PDF) Caltrans - Minimum Yellow Light Change Interval (PDF available upon request)

Pedestrian/Bicyclist:

Countermeasure	Resource
Crosswalk Visibility Enhancements	FHWA - PSC Overview (Crosswalk Visiblity Enhancements) Caltrans - Pedestrian Accessibility Guidelines for Highway Projects (DIB #82.06) (PDF) Caltrans - Crosswalk Enhancement Policy (TOPD 12-03) (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - Context Sensitive Solutions (Director's Policy DP-22) (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - Complete Streets (Director's Policy DP-37) (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - Enhanced Conspicuity on Sign Posts (J. Bhullar Memorandum, October 18, 2018) (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - Complete Intersections Guide (PDF)
Bicycle Lanes	FHWA - PSC Overview (Bicycle Lanes) FHWA - Bicycle and Pedestrian Program FHWA - Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide Caltrans - Complete Streets (Director's Policy DP-37) (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Caltrans - DIB 89-02 “Class IV Bikeway Guidance" (PDF)
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons	FHWA - PSC Overview (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons) Caltrans - Complete Streets (Director's Policy DP-37) (PDF available upon request)
Leading Pedestrian Interval	FHWA - PSC Overview (Leading Pedestrian Interval) FHWA - Safety Evaluation of Protected Left-Turn Phasing and Leading Pedestrian Intervals on Pedestrian Safety Caltrans - TSB #21-01, Leading Pedestrian Interval Guidelines (PDF)
Medians and Pedestrian Crossing Islands in Urban and Suburban Areas	FHWA - PSC Overview (Medians and Pedestrian Crossing Islands in Urban and Suburban Areas) Caltrans - Pedestrian Accessibility Guidelines for Highway Projects (DIB #82.06) (PDF) Caltrans - Crosswalk Enhancement Policy (TOPD 12-03) (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - In-Roadway Warning Lights at Crosswalks (TOPD 03-02) (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - Context Sensitive Solutions (Director's Policy DP-22) (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - Complete Streets (Director's Policy DP-37) (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - Enhanced Conspicuity on Sign Posts (J. Bhullar Memorandum, October 18, 2018) (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - Complete Intersections Guide (PDF) Medians and Pedestrian Crossing Islands: Other Agencies Arkansas DOT - Action Plan for Implementing Pedestrian Crossing Countermeasures at Uncontrolled Locations (PDF)
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons	FHWA - PSC Overview (Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons) FHWA - Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Guide - Recommendations and Case Study (PDF) FHWA - Evaluation of Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons Caltrans - YouTube: HAWK Pedestrian Safety on State Route 35 (2014) Caltrans - YouTube: HAWK Pedestrian Crosswalk Signal, Oakdale (2017) Caltrans - YouTube: HAWK Crosswalk Beacon, Highway 29 & 35 (2018)   Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons: Other Agencies Alaska DOT - HAWK Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons Illinois Center for Transportation - Current Polices throughout the Nation (PDF) Wisconsin DOT - Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons
Road Diets (Roadway Reconfigurations)	FHWA - PSC Overview (Road Diets) FHWA - Road Diets (Roadway Reconfiguration) FHWA - Road Diet Information Guide Caltrans - Context Sensitive Solutions (Director's Policy DP-22) (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - Complete Streets (Director's Policy DP-37) (PDF available upon request) Road Diets: Other Agencies Florida DOT - Lane Repurposing Guidebook (PDF)
Walkways	FHWA - PSC Overview (Walkways) Caltrans - Context Sensitive Solutions (Director's Policy DP-22) (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - Complete Streets (Director's Policy DP-37) (PDF available upon request)

Crosscutting:

Countermeasure	Resource
Pavement Friction Management	FHWA - PSC Overview (Pavement Friction Management) HFST: Other Agencies Florida DOT - High Friction Surface Treatment Guidelines (PDF) Minnesota DOT - High Friction Surface Treatments: Transportation Research Synthesis
Lighting	FHWA - PSC Overview (Lighting) FHWA - Research Report: Street Lighting for Pedestrian Safety (PDF) AASHTO - Roadway Lighting Design Guide, 7th Edition Caltrans - Complete Streets (Director's Policy DP-37) (PDF available upon request) Caltrans - Electrical Systems Design Manual (PDF)
Local Road Safety Plans	FHWA - PSC Overview (Local Road Safety Plans) FHWA - Local Road Safety Plans Caltrans - Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP)
Road Safety Audits	FHWA - PSC Overview (Road Safety Audits) FHWA - Road Safety Audits Berkeley SafeTREC - Complete Streets Safety Assessments (CSSA)