EFFECTS OF A CONTINUOUS EDGELINE APPLIED ON THREE TYPES OF ROADS

A section of a 13-metre wide road has been changed which means that the road is now marked with 5.5 m wide lanes and 1 m wide shoulders. The lanes and shoulders are separated by a continuous 30 cm wide edgeline of the Kamflex type. The new section was tested with respect to the lateral position of vehicles, distribution of lateral position and speed. Road user attitudes were also studied. An accident report on the four test sections with wide lanes that have been studied so far is also included in the report. The results show that the lateral position changed in such a way that after remarking of the road, vehicles were separated by a greater lateral distance, a fact which is expected to reduce the risk of head-on accidents. The distribution of lateral position also changed, which should reduce the risk of the formation of longitudinal ruts. Furthermore, the average speed of vehicles has been reduced, which should result in less serious accidents. Road users are positive to the new markings. Above all, the new section is considered to be safer when overtaking. (A)