EFFECTIVE USE OF PASSING LANES ON TWO-LANE HIGHWAYS

Passing lanes have been found to be effective in improving overall traffic operations on two-lane highways. Many of the traffic operation problems on rural two-lane highways result from the lack of passing opportunities due to limited sight distance and heavy oncoming traffic volumes. Passing lanes can provide an effective method for improving traffic operations on two-lane highways at a lower cost than required for constructing a four-lane highway. The paper presents guidelines for effectively locating, designing, signing, and marking passing lanes to improve traffic operations. A procedure for estimating the operational effectiveness of passing lanes in terms of improved service is presented. The paper also presents an evaluation of the effectiveness of passing lanes in reducing accidents on two-lane highways.