Wet Pavement Safety Programs PDF Download

The National Transportation Safety Board has investigated 12 highway accidents involving wet pavement, reviewed the skid resistance programs of 10 States, and reviewed the States' responses to the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, "Skid Accident Reduction Program--FHWA Docket No. 77-16," and conducted a special study on the magnitude of the wet pavement problem. There is a lack of systematic application of proven principles and practices by the States and FHWA. Past FHWA approaches have not been successful. As examples, the Board found that some of the fundamental skid resistance principles that are accepted today have been known over 20 years, that many local or county roads have never been skid tested, and that more than one State does not use accident records to define where testing is needed. As a result of this evaluation, the Board recommends that FHWA develop program objectives, initiate rulemaking to require that each State have an approved program with specific elements, revise the Federal-aid Highway Program Manual (FHPM 6.2.4.3), promote further research in several areas, and disseminate information more effectively.