Citation

Burns JC. Transp. Res. Rec. 1981; 836: 8-14.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Roughness can play a significant role in roadway accidents and should be considered when evaluating pavement safety as well as when planning and designing safety improvements. Roadway roughness can cause problems with steering, braking, maneuvering, and response that can lead to loss of vehicle control and can result in an accident. In addition, rough pavements can sometimes shake or bounce a vehicle so severely that it will lose part or all of the load it is carrying, which then leads to lost-load accidents. This paper discusses the magnitude of the various problems associated with vehicle performance on rough roads and the types of accidents and safety problems that result. The various individual parameters that cause roughness are examined and their overall effect on safety are prioritized. Examples of corrective actions and their benefits are discussed. In the future additional consideration should be given to this problem and to using safety funds to make rehabilitations that decrease roughness and improve the ride quality and safety of a highway.