HIGHWAY SAFETY IN THE NINETIES

Highway safety initiatives, ongoing or projected are highlighted in this article. Highway safety improvements made in the building of the interstate system of highways, and the 18 safety standards in the Highway Safety Act of 1966 are noted, as well as physical safety improvements introduced in the 60s and 70s. Improvements in the area of traffic control are listed, and comments are made on safety trends for the nineties. Areas where technology is increasing highway safety include the roadside, night visibility, work zones, and traffic control. High priority safety areas for the 1990s are listed and discussed. These include the following: highway safety information management; driver behavior research; enhanced highway simulator; highway design management; pedestrian safety; and improved traffic control methods.