SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF PASSING LANES IN KANSAS

A maneuver on a rural two-lane highway can be difficult and may present high risk to motorists. Passing maneuver is also a major element influencing operational efficiency of two-lane highways. One of the most effective ways to increase opportunities and hence operational efficiency and safety, is to provide For many years, lanes have been provided on unsustainable grades where some vehicles experience a problem maintaining desired speed. These lanes are usually called climbing lanes. Currently, lanes are becoming more common at locations other than on unsustainable grades where maintaining desired speed is not a vehicle performance characteristic problem. In this paper the term passing lane will refer to added lanes on sections other than unsustainable grades with an objective of increasing opportunities. This paper will cover: 1)an evaluation of the safety of intersections within the lane, 2) a comparison of different lane-drop taper lengths found in Kansas lanes and the relationship to safety, 3) an evaluation of the operational benefits of lanes, and 4) an overview of public opinion on (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see IRRD 895316.