Citation

Sharp MC, Harwood DW, Sharp MC. Transp. Res. Rec. 1979; 703: 19-24.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1979, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The study dealt with a proposed taper length formula that yields shorter tapers at design speeds below 96 km/h (60 mph) than does the existing formula (L=WS, when S is in mph). This paper reports on a direct comparison of traffic operations using both the standard and proposed taper lengths in the same construction zones. Speed, erratic maneuvers, traffic conflicts, and lane encroachment data were collected at four sites, day and night, for a variety of design speeds and taper lengths. The analyses of the data collected do not imply that the proposed taper lengths are more hazardous than the standard taper length. Use of the proposed length did not produce a greater number of erratic maneuvers and slow-moving vehicle conflicts than did the standard or existing taper length. There was no indication that the proposed taper lengths resulted in a greater number of passenger vehicle or truck encroachments on adjacent lanes.