Barrier Striping for the Reduction of Accidents

Details

• Creators:
  Kutela, Boniphace ; Geedipally, Srinivas ; Pike, Adam ; Shulz, Nathan ; Das, Subasish
• Corporate Creators:
  Texas A&M Transportation Institute ; Texas State University--San Marcos
• Corporate Contributors:
  Texas Department of Transportation. Research and Technology Implementation Office ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Barrier Striping Binomial Distributions Countermeasures Evaluation Literature Reviews Nighttime Crashes Speed Detectors Traffic Barriers Traffic Crashes Weather Conditions
• Publication/ Report Number:
  FHWA/TX-26/0-7171-R1
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; Texas
• Edition:
  September 2023–September 2025
• Corporate Publisher:
  Texas A&M Transportation Institute
• Abstract:
  Barrier striping is a roadway safety countermeasure designed to enhance driver awareness of concrete barriers, particularly under adverse weather and low-visibility conditions. This study evaluated the short- and long-term safety effectiveness of retroreflective barrier striping across multiple sites in Texas. The research involved a comprehensive literature review of barrier delineation practices, a detailed examination of existing installations, and the implementation and evaluation of new treatments at selected high-crash locations. Data collection included crash records, roadway geometry, traffic volume, meteorological conditions, and probe vehicle speed data. Analytical methods encompassed descriptive statistics, crash rate comparisons, logistic and linear regressions, Negative Binomial, and survival analysis to assess the impact of striping on crash frequency, severity, and operating speeds. The findings revealed notable reductions in barrier-related crashes at treated sites, with relatively stronger improvements observed at nighttime, underscoring the benefits of increased retro-reflectivity. Speed analysis suggested limited but measurable effects on vehicle operating behavior. Based on these results, the project team refined the Texas Department of Transportation’s draft special specification for barrier striping, offering updated guidance on materials, spacing, and installation procedures. Overall, barrier striping demonstrates promising potential as an effective countermeasure to improve roadway safety, though continued evaluation and site-specific considerations are recommended. Future research should further explore surrogate safety measures, maintenance requirements, and the effectiveness of alternative striping materials.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  0-7171
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:394edc8f155f7e46c4d8ed1c620da728816a76694412d58cc86bfbaa7435efb66ddcd815f35e25c26681960ef0bc3dae3c01f45ce44be3ad6ce93633a4178dfe
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/89290/dot_89290_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 5.17 MB ]