TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2015//
TI  - Methodology for safety improvement programming using constrained network-level optimization
JO  - Transportation research part C: emerging technologies
A1  - Murillo-Hoyos, Jackeline
A1  - Athigakunagorn, Nathee
A1  - Labi, Samuel
SP  - 106
EP  - 116
VL  - 50
IS  - 
N2  - This paper develops and implements a decision support framework that prescribes and prioritizes cost-effective safety improvements at deserving locations under funding constraints, economic and comprehensive crash cost methods, at rural two-lane highway sections. The framework is demonstrated using Indiana's 7700-mile rural two-lane network. For sections that are both deficient and hazardous under unconstrained budget and economic crash cost method, it was determined that $55. M is needed. Assuming a safety budget of $1. M/year over a 5-year period, it was found that 170-180 crashes (translating to $8-15. M) could be prevented. If the annual budget is increased to $2. M/year over a 5-year period, 244 crashes (translating to $12-26. M) can be prevented. Monetary amounts are in Year 2000 constant dollars. Overall, the results suggest that perpetual increases in highway safety improvements spending are not likely to be accompanied by a commensurate reduction of crashes at rural two-lane highways. In other words, there is a ceiling to the effectiveness of engineering safety countermeasures, and therefore non-engineering countermeasures such as safety education and enforcement must be sought to complement the engineering efforts at rural two-lane highways.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0968-090X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trc.2014.09.010
ID  - ref1
ER  -