NEED TO STRIPE NO-PASSING ZONES DURING RESURFACING OF LOWER-VOLUME RURAL ROADS

The lack of no-passing zone markings during the resurfacing of two-lane highways may produce a hazard to the driving public. The objectives of the research were to evaluate the potential safety problems and to recommend a traffic volume at which there is a significant hazard associated with not having no-passing markings in place during a resurfacing project. Analytic models and simulation models were used to predict the number of passes, the potential for passing conflicts, and the number of delayed passes at various traffic volumes. Traffic volumes were also related to highway level of service and accidents in Missouri involving improper passing. Potential reductions in accident costs were related to the cost of temporary no-passing zones. Recommendations for marking no-passing zones were based on highway classification, average daily traffic, and terrain type.