Toolkit: Roadway Design, Signage and Road Improvements

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About 43,000 people are killed in highway crashes each year in the U.S., and more than 3.5 million are injured. Highway crashes are the leading cause of death of people six to 28 years of age and are the cause of more permanent impairments than any other type of accident. Over 425,000 people died on our highways from 1995 through 2005.

Studies show that increased investment in road and bridge improvements at the local level save lives. Making road lanes and shoulders wider, adding medians and improving bridges are just a few of the improvements that have been shown to cut fatalities significantly. Highway safety information on this fact sheet is based on data obtained by The Road Information Program from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Data are the latest available.

Every $100 million invested in highway safety improvements will result in approximately 145 fewer traffic fatalities over a 10-year period.
Approximately 500 people are killed annually in crashes at rail-highway crossings.
About 12,000 people are killed annually in traffic crashes involving collisions with a fixed object such as a tree, guardrail, utility pole, curb, or light or support pole.
Listed are key local road and bridge improvements evaluated over a 20-year period by FHWA and the related reduction in fatality rates.

Improvements at Intersections	Reduction in Fatality Rate
turning lanes and traffic channelization	47 percent
sight distance improvements	56 percent
new traffic signals	53 percent
Bridge Improvements	Reduction in Fatality Rate
widening a bridge	49 percent
new bridge	86 percent
upgrade bridge rail	75 percent
Roadway Improvements	Reduction in Fatality Rate
construct median for traffic separation	73 percent
widen or improve shoulder	22 percent
realign roadway	66 percent
groove pavement for skid treatment	33 percent
Roadside Improvements	Reduction in Fatality Rate
upgrade median barrier	66 percent
new median barrier	63 percent

This fact sheet is from The Road Information Program (TRIP).