Safety and capacity evaluation for interstates in Kentucky.

PDFTech ReportKTC-05-06/1F-56-04-1FKYSPR-04-56Interstate highwaysCommercial vehiclesTraffic safetyHighway capacityTraffic delayTraffic volumeTypes of roads by number of lanesKentuckyUniversity of Kentucky Transportation CenterKirk, AdamPigman, Jerry G.Agent, Kenneth R.House, BarryUniversity of Kentucky Transportation CenterKentucky. Transportation CabinetUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionThis analysis and evaluation was directed toward assessing safety and capacity issues on interstates in Kentucky and, particularly, the manner in which commercial vehicle traffic affects these issues. Analyses was undertaken to show past trends and project future traffic. Previous research was relied upon to show the level of safety on each of the interstates relative to statewide averages. Analyses were performed to evaluate the impact on safety when comparing segments by number of lanes available for through traffic (4, 6, and 8-lane highway sections). Delay on the interstates was calculated based on closure times due to crashes and estimates were made of the relative impact if additional lanes were available. Volume versus capacity assessments were performed to show the operational level of each interstate. Insight and knowledge gained from other similar studies were considered and incorporated where appropriate