FHWA launches webpage on countermeasures

Washington – The Federal Highway Administration recently launched a webpage featuring nine safety countermeasures it considers most effective for establishing roadway safety.

The countermeasures, which focus on intersection, pedestrian and roadway departure safety, include:

• Vertical pavement edges
• Roundabouts
• Roadway transitions into major roads and highways
• Controlled contrast backgrounds for traffic lights
• Rumble strips for two-lane roads
• Lighting and surface considerations for high-risk roadway curves
• Medians and pedestrian crossing islands for urban and suburban roadways
• Pedestrian-activated warning devices
• Roadway configurations such as center two-way left-turn lanes

According to Tony Furst, acting associate administrator for safety for FHWA, in February, the agency will begin to use an online reporting tool to track how division administrators implement countermeasures.