AN INVESTIGATION OF THE DESIGN IMPLICATIONS FOR OPENINGS IN A SUB-STANDARD MEDIAN ON A MULTI-LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY

Suchitra C, B.V.Kiran Kumar, Jim Jarvis

Abstract: The main objective of this study was to provide background information for engineers to make decisions on closure, spacing and design of median openings on multilane divided highways with substandard medians and to identify the key issues associated with such decisions. The information made available should contribute to the development of a strategy for closing medians to arrive at the best compromise between safety and mobility. State Highway-17 in the state of Karnataka, was selected as a pilot corridor for this study which has a major safety concern of informal median openings. Based on the analysis of the crash data, a section of 5 km was selected to carry out detailed traffic studies at all the median openings. It was found that the turning movements along the corridor are dominated by motorized two wheelers. It was then concluded that the median openings along the highway should be tailored to the dominating vehicle type. The study suggests that the informal median openings are due to longer diversion caused by the closure of openings. It was also found that many informal median openings shown to be related to motor related trade and other outlets. This needs to be considered in the strategy.

Keywords: Substandard medians, key issues, strategy, safety and mobility, dominating vehicle type, turning movements, motor related trade.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2013.0213084