28 Proven Safety Countermeasures

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Speed Management

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

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Roadway Departure

Wider Edge Lines
wider edge lines icon Caltrans Resources
Implementation of Six-Inch Wide Traffic Lines (PDF available upon request)
YouTube: 6-Inch Striping Enhances Safety (2017)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Wider Edge Lines)
Other Agency Resources
Idaho DOT - Safety Impacts of Using Wider Pavement Markings on Two-Lane Rural Highways in Idaho (PDF)
Enhanced Delineation for Horizontal Curves
enhanced delineation for horizontal curves icon Caltrans Resources
TSB #20-01, Longitudinal Markings Policy (PDF available upon request)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Enhanced Delineation for Horizontal Curves)
Longitudinal Rumble Strips and Stripes
longitudinal rumble strip and stripes icon Caltrans Resources
Environmental Analysis, Mumble Strips
TSB #20-07, Rumble Strip Guidelines (PDF)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Longitudinal Rumble Strips and Stripes)
Tapered Edge
tapered edge icon Caltrans Resources
Implementation of Pavement Safety Edge (PDF available upon request)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (SafetyEdge™)
Roadside Design Improvement at Curves
roadside design improvement at curves icon Caltrans Resources
MASH Implementation
Traffic Safety Systems Guidance (PDF)
FHWA Resources
Horizontal Curve Safety
PSC Overview (Roadside Design Improvement at Curves)
Roadway Departure Safety
Median Barrier
median barrier icon Caltrans Resources
Installation of Barrier on Two- or Three-Lane Facilities (Deputy Directive DD-50) (PDF available upon request)
Traffic Safety Systems Guidance (PDF)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Median Barrier)
TRB Resources
Performance of Longitudinal Barriers on Curved, Superelevated Roadway Sections

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Intersections

Backplates with Retroreflective Borders
backplates with retroreflective borders  icon
Caltrans Resources
TSB #20-05, Yellow Retroreflective Border at Traffic Signal Head (PDF available upon request)
YouTube: Reflective Backplates for Traffic Signals (2021)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Backplates with Retroreflective Borders)
Corridor Access Management
corridor access management icon
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Corridor Access Management)
Intersection Safety, Corridor Access Management
Other Agency Resources
Minnesota DOT -Access Management Strategies and Resources
TRB Resources
Access Management Application Guidelines
Design and Access Management Guidelines for Truck Routes: Planning and Design Guide
Left- and Right-Turn Lanes at Two-Way Stop-Controlled Intersections
left and right turn lanes at two-way stop-controlled intersections  icon
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Left- and Right-Turn Lanes at Intersections)
Safety Effectiveness of Intersection Left- and Right-Turn Lanes (PDF)
Reduced Left-Turn Conflict Intersections
reduced left-turn conflict intersections icon
Caltrans Resources
Intersection Safety and Operational Assessment Process
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Reduced Left-Turn Conflict Intersections)
Intersection Safety: Reduced Left-Turn conflict Intersections
Median U-Turn Intersection: Information Guide
Mid-America Transportation Center Resources
Evaluation of J-Turn Intersection Design Performance (PDF)
Other Agency Resources
Minnesota DOT - Decreased Conflict Intersections
North Dakota DOT - Reduced Conflict Intersections
TRB Resources
Unsignalized Full Median Openings in Close Proximity to Signalized Intersections
Roundabouts
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Caltrans Resources
A Step-by-Step Guide to Driving a Multi-Lane Roundabout (English) | (Spanish) (PDF)
Complete Intersections Guide (PDF)
Intersection Safety and Operational Assessment Process
Modern Roundabouts for Large Trucks and Oversize/Overweight Vehicles (English) | (Spanish) (PDF)
Pedestrians' and Bicyclists' Use of Modern Roundabouts (English) | (Spanish) (PDF)
YouTube: Central Valley Roundabouts (2015) | YouTube: How to Drive a Roundabout (2022)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Roundabouts)
Intersection Safety: Roundabouts
Other Agency Resources
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)
TRB Resources
Crossing Solutions at Roundabouts and Channelized Turn Lanes for Pedestrians with Vision Disabilities: A Guidebook
Roundabouts: An Informational Guide

Systemic Application of Multiple Low-Cost Countermeasures at Stop-Controlled Intersections
systemic application of multiple low cost countermeasures at stop-controlled intersections icon
Caltrans Resources
Complete Intersections Guide (PDF)
Pedestrian Accessibility Guidelines for Highway Projects (DIB #82.06) (PDF available upon request)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Stop-Controlled Intersections)
Low-Cost Safety Enhancements for Stop-Controlled and Signalized Intersections (PDF)
TRB Resources
Developing a Guide for Quantitative Approaches to Systemic Safety Analysis
Safety Effects of Low-Cost Systemic Safety Improvements at Signalized and Stop-Controlled Intersections
Yellow Change Intervals
yellow change intervals icon
Caltrans Resources
Minimum Yellow Light Change Interval (PDF available upon request)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Yellow Change Intervals)
Signalized Intersection Informational Guide (Second Edition) (PDF)

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Pedestrian/Bicyclist

Crosswalk Visibility Enhancements
crosswalk visibility enhancements icon Caltrans Resources
Complete Intersections Guide (PDF)
Complete Streets (Director's Policy DP-37) (PDF available upon request)
Context Sensitive Solutions (Director's Policy DP-22) (PDF available upon request)
Crosswalk Enhancement Policy (TOPD 12-03) (PDF available upon request)
Enhanced Conspicuity on Sign Posts (J. Bhullar Memorandum, October 18, 2018) (PDF available upon request)
Pedestrian Accessibility Guidelines for Highway Projects (DIB #82.06) (PDF)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Crosswalk Visibility Enhancements)
Bicycle Lanes
bicycle lanes icon Caltrans Resources
Complete Streets (Director's Policy DP-37) (PDF available upon request)
DIB 89-02 “Class IV Bikeway Guidance" (PDF)
Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety
FHWA Resources
Bicycle and Pedestrian Program
PSC Overview (Bicycle Lanes)
Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
rectangular rapid flashing beacons icon Caltrans Resources
Complete Streets (Director's Policy DP-37) (PDF available upon request)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons)
Leading Pedestrian Interval
leading pedestrian interval icon
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Leading Pedestrian Interval)
Safety Evaluation of Protected Left-Turn Phasing and Leading Pedestrian Intervals on Pedestrian Safety
Medians and Pedestrian Crossing Islands in Urban and Suburban Areas
medians and pedestrians crossing islands in urban and suburban areas  icon
Caltrans Resources
Complete Intersections Guide (PDF)
Complete Streets (Director's Policy DP-37) (PDF available upon request)
Context Sensitive Solutions (Director's Policy DP-22) (PDF available upon request)
Crosswalk Enhancement Policy (TOPD 12-03) (PDF available upon request)
Enhanced Conspicuity on Sign Posts (J. Bhullar Memorandum, October 18, 2018) (PDF available upon request)
In-Roadway Warning Lights at Crosswalks (TOPD 03-02) (PDF available upon request)
Pedestrian Accessibility Guidelines for Highway Projects (DIB #82.06) (PDF)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Medians and Pedestrian Crossing Islands in Urban and Suburban Areas)
Other Agency Resources
Arkansas DOT - Action Plan for Implementing Pedestrian Crossing Countermeasures at Uncontrolled Locations (PDF)
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons
pedestrian hybrid beacon icon
Caltrans Resources
YouTube: HAWK Crosswalk Beacon, Highway 29 & 35 (2018)
YouTube: HAWK Pedestrian Safety on State Route 35 (2014)
YouTube: HAWK Pedestrian Crosswalk Signal, Oakdale (2017)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons)
Evaluation of Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Guide - Recommendations and Case Study (PDF)
Other Agency Resources
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)
road diets icon
Caltrans Resources
Complete Streets (Director's Policy DP-37) (PDF available upon request)
Context Sensitive Solutions (Director's Policy DP-22) (PDF available upon request)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Road Diets)
Road Diet Information Guide
Road Diets (Roadway Reconfiguration)
Other Agency Resources
Florida DOT - Lane Repurposing Guidebook (PDF)
Walkways
walkways icon
Caltrans Resources
Complete Streets (Director's Policy DP-37) (PDF available upon request)
Context Sensitive Solutions (Director's Policy DP-22) (PDF available upon request)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Walkways)

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Crosscutting

Pavement Friction Management
pavement friction management icon FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Pavement Friction Management)
Other Agency Resources
Florida DOT - High Friction Surface Treatment Guidelines (PDF)
Minnesota DOT - High Friction Surface Treatments: Transportation Research Synthesis
Lighting
lighting icon
AASHTO Resource
Roadway Lighting Design Guide, 7th Edition
Caltrans Resources
Complete Streets (Director's Policy DP-37) (PDF available upon request)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Lighting)
Research Report: Street Lighting for Pedestrian Safety (PDF)
Local Road Safety Plans
local road safety plans icon

Caltrans Resources
Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Local Road Safety Plans)
Local Road Safety Plans

Road Safety Audits
road safety audits icon
Berkeley SafeTREC Resource
Complete Streets Safety Assessments (CSSA)
FHWA Resources
PSC Overview (Road Safety Audits)
Road Safety Audits

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