Merging Planning & Design for Rural Intersection Safety Solutions

Abstract: Highway and road agencies face significant challenges in implementing safety improvements efficiently and cost-effectively. Resource and personnel constraints often delay the planning, design, and delivery of critical safety enhancements. This study presents a data-driven and performance-based approach utilizing GIS-based safety asset data, combined with multiple other data sources, to identify and implement both systemic low-cost and higher-cost improvements aimed at enhancing safety at rural intersections in Arkansas.
An intersection database was developed in GIS to catalog safety-related asset elements, facilitating a comprehensive assessment of each location. By screening locations based on crash data and risk factors, we prioritized those intersections with the greatest safety needs, where targeted infrastructure improvements could effectively reduce crash risks and save lives. Proven low-cost safety countermeasures, such as Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) devices and signage upgrades, were evaluated and integrated into construction documents to expedite implementation.
To streamline project delivery, we merged the planning and design phases into a single contract mechanism. Additionally, higher-cost improvements, such as roundabouts and Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) intersections, were assessed at sites where low-cost interventions had already been implemented. A custom benefit-cost analysis, paired with an Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) approach, was developed to accommodate the extensive scope of this statewide analysis and ensure effective allocation of resources for maximum safety impact.