Citation

Burtch T, Sanderson R, Irwin P. ITE J. 1983; 53(2): 14-20.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1983, Institute of Transportation Engineers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between motor vehicle design, that is, vehicle downsizing, and the design of roadway and roadside elements, as they relate to the Canadian environment. Accordingly, the first step was a review of current geometric and roadside design standards to identify the vehicle performance and size characteristics used in formulation of these standards. The second step was an assessment of how these vehicle characteristics could be expected to change over the period 1980-1990. The third step included a "sensitivity analysis" of roadway and roadside design elements, using representative vehicle characteristics for both 1980 and 1990. This type of analysis would identify to what extent design elements are influenced by changes in vehicle dimensions, or to what degree can existing design standards accommodate change with no significant change in system safety.