Road Safety Audit Case Studies: Using Three-Dimensional Design Visualization in the Road Safety Audit Process

Nabors, Dan; Soika, Jonathan · 2013 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Safety

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Summary

This report, sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), addresses the integration of interactive three-dimensional (3-D) visualization into the Road Safety Audit (RSA) process. RSAs are formal safety performance examinations conducted by independent, multidisciplinary teams to identify potential safety issues in existing or future roadways. The study aims to demonstrate how 3-D design visualization assists RSA teams in assessing the safety effects of potential roadway designs, particularly during pre-construction planning and design stages. This effort aligns with federal initiatives like MAP-21 and FHWA’s Every Day Counts, which promote innovative technologies to improve highway safety and efficiency. The methodology involved four case studies of pre-construction RSAs conducted in Middletown, Rhode Island; Belgrade, Montana; Prince William County, Virginia; and Riverside County, California. For each project, 3-D models were created using digital terrain models, design surface models, and computer-aided design (CAD) files. These models included detailed renderings of lane configurations, traffic control signs, pavement markings, landscaping, and roadside appurtenances. The models were exported to 3-D PDF format, allowing users with basic computer skills to virtually “drive” or “walk” through the proposed alignments using free Adobe software. The RSA teams reviewed these models during start-up meetings and analysis workshops to evaluate design alternatives, identify safety concerns, and visualize inaccessible or complex areas. The findings highlight several specific benefits of using 3-D visualization in RSAs. First, it enables team members who are not proficient in reading complex 2-D engineering plans to comprehend proposed improvements, particularly for large, complex, or innovative designs. Second, the models allow users to view conditions from countless vantage points, revealing issues such as sight distance obstructions or sign perceptibility that might be missed in standard 2-D reviews. Third, the visualization provides visual support for RSA findings, helping stakeholders understand recommendations. In the case studies, the technology helped identify issues such as sun glare, proximity of ramps to bridge structures, and the impact of roadside features on driver visibility. The models also facilitated the comparison of design alternatives, such as roundabouts versus signalized intersections, allowing for earlier and more cost-effective design modifications. The significance of this work lies in its demonstration that 3-D visualization is a practical, cost-effective tool for enhancing the RSA process. By identifying safety issues early in the design phase, agencies can mitigate crash potential before construction begins, reducing long-term costs and improving traveler safety. The report concludes that 3-D visualization promotes a holistic design process, maximizes the efficiency of RSA teams, and aids in communicating safety concerns to non-technical stakeholders. It recommends the continued incorporation of this technology into future RSA projects, noting that advancing graphic capabilities will further integrate visualization into safety planning and design.

Key finding

Interactive three-dimensional visualization enables Road Safety Audit teams to identify design-related safety hazards and geometric issues during the planning stage, allowing for cost-effective modifications before construction.

Methodology

other

Provenance

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Topics

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• perceptual countermeasures
• intersection design
• road geometry