CROSS MEDIAN - ROAD SAFETY AUDIT
Route 140
New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville
November 20, 2009
Prepared For:
MassDOT Highway Division
Prepared By:
BETA Group, Inc.
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................1
RSA Process.................................................................................................................................3
Background .................................................................................................................................6
Audit Observations .....................................................................................................................8
Potential Safety Enhancements ...............................................................................................10
Recommendations .....................................................................................................................14
Summary of Road Safety Audit...............................................................................................17
List of Appendices
Appendix A.
Appendix B.
Appendix C.
Appendix D.
RSA Meeting Agenda
RSA Prompt List
RSA Audit Team Contact List
Detailed Crash Data
List of Figures
Figure 1.
Locus Map.............................................................................................................................. 2
List of Tables
Table 1.
Table 2.
Table 3.
Table 4.
Table 5.
Table 6.
Table 7.
Table 8.
Table 9.
Participating Audit Team Members ....................................................................................... 3
Frequency Rating ................................................................................................................... 4
Severity Rating ....................................................................................................................... 5
Crash Risk Assessment .......................................................................................................... 5
Summary of Factors that Potentially Affect the Risk of Safety Related Events .................... 8
Criteria For Barrier Selection ............................................................................................... 13
Comparison Costs................................................................................................................. 14
Estimated Time Frame and Costs Breakdown ..................................................................... 14
Potential Safety Enhancement Summary ............................................................................. 18
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
Introduction
The Federal Highway Administration defines a Road Safety Audit (RSA) as the formal safety
examination of an existing or future road or intersection by an independent, multidisciplinary team. The
purpose of an RSA is to identify potential safety issues and possible opportunities for safety
improvements considering all roadway users.
The Highway Division of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has embraced the
RSA program as a low cost opportunity to make significant safety improvements at any number of stages,
ranging from project development to existing operation.
The RSA program in Massachusetts was implemented in accordance with the Commonwealth’s role as a
Lead State in preventing lane departure crashes. The MassDOT Highway Division conducted a study of
lane departure crashes in 2006, using data from 2002-2004. This study found that as crash severity
increases, so does the percentage of crashes that are lane departures. This trend has continued in
subsequent years. Lane departure crashes account for 18% of all crashes in the Commonwealth.
However, nearly one quarter of all Massachusetts crashes involving injury are lane departure crashes and
over 46% of all fatal crashes in Massachusetts are lane departure crashes.
Additionally, Massachusetts has recently experienced a spate of cross-median crashes (whereby a vehicle
crosses the median and ends up in an opposing lane or strikes another vehicle head-on). This type of lane
departure crash has the potential for catastrophic outcomes. In 2007, the MassDOT Highway Division
began an RSA program to study roadways in which fatal and incapacitating injury cross-median crashes
have occurred. As a result of these RSAs, the need for median treatments at each of the locations will be
prioritized.
A cross-median RSA was conducted for the section of Route 140 from just south of County Road (Exit 9)
to just south of Kings Highway (Exit 4). The study section, shown in Figure 1, is approximately nine
miles long. The study area is the portion of Route 140 with little existing median barrier. The purpose of
this RSA was to identify current conditions of the study area that could affect safety, and to develop both
short and long-term solutions to address the safety issues. Recommendations contained in this report are
a summary of the recommendations of the RSA team and do not necessarily reflect the official views of
MassDOT.
Page 1
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781.255.1982
BETA@BETA-inc.com
CROSS MEDIAN
ROAD SAFETY AUDIT
LAKEVILLE/FREETOWN/NEW BEDFORD
Figure 1
Location Map
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
RSA Process
Road Safety Audits are a formal safety performance examination on existing or future roadways by an
independent audit team. During the audit, the RSA team works to identify opportunities for improving
the safety of the roadway and to recommend specific improvements intended to reduce cross-median
crashes and improve the overall safety along the roadway.
A Cross Median Road Safety Audit for Route 140 from south of County Road (Exit 9) to Kings Highway
(Exit 4) was held on October 28, 2009 at the MassDOT Highway Division District 5 office. As indicated
in Table 1, the audit team consisted of representatives from Federal, State and Regional agencies and
included a cross-section of engineering, planning, and emergency response expertise.
Table 1. Participating Audit Team Members
Audit Team Member
Bonnie Polin
Lisa Schletzbaum
Jim Hadfield
Jackie Schmidt
Tim White
Erica Grygorcewicz
Bill Travers
Robert Gregory
Daniel Mulkern
Kenneth Hudson
Greg Lucas
John Mirabito
Agency/Affiliation
MassDOT Highway Division – Safety Section
MassDOT Highway Division – Safety Section
SRPEDD
SRPEDD
Federal Highway Administration
MassDOT Highway Division – Highway Design
MassDOT Highway Division – District 5
MassDOT Highway Division – District 5
Mass. State Police
Mass. State Police
BETA Group
BETA Group
At the meeting, MassDOT provided a brief overview of the RSA purpose and the audit process, followed
by a review of the roadway characteristics and a brief summary of geometry, traffic volume and crash
data presented to the audit participants. The audit participants then viewed a video record of the corridor
in each direction. During and following the video, audit participants noted potential safety issues along
the corridor that may contribute to cross-median crashes, followed by a discussion of possible solutions to
mitigate or prevent similar crashes in the future.
Key items noted by audit participants included the following:
•
•
The narrow left shoulder provides little room for recovery of a vehicle.
The elevation of the northbound roadway is higher than the southbound roadway. The
subsequent median slope is less likely to contain an errant northbound vehicle, which may lead to
more northbound cross-median crashes. The crash summary included in the Appendix supports
this theory. The curvature of the roadway in several locations may also be a factor in conjunction
with the grade separation.
Page 3
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
•
•
•
•
State police enforcement is limited due to limited funding for staff, which may lead to increased
speeds along the corridor.
There are drainage issues in the vicinity of Exit 6 southbound that lead to ponding on the
roadway.
The northbound off-ramp at Kings Highway (Exit 4) backs up onto the highway at peak hours
due to capacity problems along Kings Highway.
The northbound off-ramp at Braley Road (Exit 7) has a longer than typical deceleration lane,
which should be delineated by dotted lane markings.
•
Driver fatigue may be enhanced by the relative darkness of the roadway corridor.
•
Deer crossings are common along Route 140.
Issues identified by audit participants were evaluated using the guidelines of the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA). The relative seriousness and potential risk relative to crash frequency and
severity were determined. These guidelines as outlined by FHWA are shown in Tables 2 and 3.
Table 2. Frequency Rating
Estimated
Expected Crash Frequency
(Per RSA Item)
Exposure Probability
High
High
5 or more crashes per year
Medium
High
High
Medium
Medium
Medium 1 to 4 crashes per year
Low
High
High
Low
Less than 1 crash, but more than 1 crash every 5 years
Low
Medium
Medium
Low
Less than 1 crash every 5 years
Low
Low
Frequency Rating
Frequent
Occasional
Infrequent
Rare
Page 4
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
Table 3. Severity Rating
Typical Crashes Expected
(Per RSA Item)
High-speed crashes; head on and
rollover crashes
Moderate-speed crashes; fixed
object or off-road crashes
Crashes involving medium to low
speeds; lane changing or
sideswipe crashes
Crashes involving low to medium
speeds; typical of rear-end or
sideswipe crashes
Expected Crash Severity
Severity Rating
Probable fatality or incapacitating injury
Extreme
Moderate to severe injury
High
Minor to moderate injury
Moderate
Property damage only or minor injury
Low
The relative risk of a particular audit item is rated by taking into account both frequency and severity.
The risk ratings are shown in Table 4. These ratings were used to evaluate each safety issue identified by
the audit team.
Table 4. Crash Risk Assessment
Frequency Rating
Low
Frequent
Occasional
Infrequent
Rare
C
B
A
A
Severity Rating
Moderate
High
D
C
B
A
E
D
C
B
Extreme
F
E
D
C
Page 5
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
Background
A review of available background information was supplemented with field reconnaissance, a video
record of the corridor, and a basic evaluation of the existing conditions along the Route 140 corridor. The
portion of Route 140 included in the audit extends from just south of County Road (Exit 9) in Lakeville to
south of Kings Highway (Exit 6) in New Bedford, a total length of approximately nine miles. The
specific focus of the cross-median RSA was the area with little existing median barrier. The audit
included both the northbound and southbound roadways.
Route 140 is a freeway from its intersection with Route 24 in Taunton to its terminus at Route 6 in New
Bedford, a total length of 19 miles. This freeway section serves as the only freeway connection to the city
of New Bedford from points north. A MassDOT permanent counting station located on Route 140 in
Freetown north of the New Bedford city line recorded 30,600 vehicles per day (vpd) in 2007. A review
of historical data at this counting station shows that traffic volumes have decreased slightly over the past
five years.
A field audit was conducted in advance of the RSA meeting to document existing conditions and to create
a video recording of the corridor. The RSA Prompt List developed for cross-median RSA’s was used as a
guideline. The Prompt List is included in the Appendix. The following existing conditions were noted
during the field audit:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The study area has two lanes in each direction, with a narrow left shoulder and a 10 foot right
shoulder.
Pavement is generally in good condition.
Rumble strips exist in both the left and right shoulder. Location of right shoulder rumble strips vary
between the left edge and the center of the shoulder.
Acceleration and deceleration lanes appear to be of adequate length, although markings could be
improved for guidance.
The median width varies from approximately 80 feet at the northern end of the study area to 40 feet
from Ashley Blvd (Exit 6) southward. The median is generally a depressed median, graded
downward towards a center grass swale. Grades in the median are steeper in the area between Chace
Road (Exit 8) and County Road (Exit 9).
The median is wooded in the vicinity of Ashley Boulevard (Exit 6).
A grade separation exists south of County Road (Exit 9), with the elevation of the northbound
roadway being higher than the southbound roadway.
Signage is in good condition. Guide signs appear to have been replaced within the last few years and
provide adequate advance warning for all interchanges.
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Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
•
•
The roadway is not lighted.
Roadway and lane delineation is enhanced by in-pavement reflectors along the center lane line and
yellow delineator posts along the median, although some delineator posts are damaged or missing.
Route 140 Northbound
South of County Road (Exit 9)
Crash data was provided by the MassDOT Highway Division and are included in the Appendix. Crash
data were compiled from January 2005 to October 2009, and includes all crashes reported by
Massachusetts State Police, with narrative, involving a cross-median crash. The data show 16 crossmedian crashes over the period, or approximately 3.4 cross-median crashes per year. Twelve crashes
(75%) resulted in personal injuries or fatalities. There were two fatalities as a result of cross-median
crashes. Nine crashes occurred under dawn, dusk or dark conditions. Two of the 16 crashes were the
result of wet, snowy or icy road conditions. Eleven crashes (69%) occurred in the northbound direction.
There were 127 median crashes reported by Massachusetts State Police over the same time period.
The crash summary included in the Appendix details the reason for running off the road and the
contributing cause of the crash. It is generally acknowledged that drivers may leave the roadway as the
result of one of the following four reasons:
•
•
Driver Error
Collision Avoidance
Page 7
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
•
•
Roadway Condition
Vehicle Component Failure
There was no single reason that stood out amongst the contributing causes identified for cross-median
crashes on Route 140. High speeds or aggressive driving was cited in three of the 16 crashes.
In addition to the 16 cross-median crashes and 127 median crashes, the data show nine crashes involving
tree strikes in the median and 52 crashes involving a vehicle striking the median barrier. As expected, the
nine crashes involving tree strikes are clustered around Ashley Avenue (Exit 6), where the median is
wooded. The 52 crashes involving a vehicle striking the median barrier are clustered at interchanges
along the entire corridor and then also along the roadway south of Kings Highway (Exit 4) where there is
continuous guardrail in the median. There were 46 deer related crashes reported that involved a vehicle
entering the median.
Audit Observations
Following a brief introduction to the RSA process and a summary of traffic volume and crash
information, the audit participants were asked to discuss issues that may affect safety and contribute to
median and cross-median crashes along Route 140 in Lakeville, Freetown and New Bedford. Safety
issues identified by audit participants are summarized in the following table, and have been assigned a
risk rating based on the criteria outlined in Table 4.
Table 5. Summary of Factors that Potentially Affect the Risk of
Safety Related Events
Factor or Issue
Open, crossable median
Narrow left shoulder
Grade separation between northbound and southbound roadways
Speeding and driver behavior, limited enforcement
Drainage issues near Exit 6 southbound
Queuing on Exit 4 northbound off-ramp
Markings for deceleration lane at Braley Road (Exit 7) northbound offramp
Dark, unlit roadway
Deer crossings
Risk Rating
E
E
E
D
D
C
D
E
E
Further discussion of each factor that potentially affects safety is as follows:
•
Open, crossable median – This risk factor was assigned a risk rating of E. The 16 reported crossmedian crashes vary in cause and severity, but could all potentially be prevented or reduced in
severity with a safety improvement that mitigates this issue.
Page 8
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Narrow left shoulder – Both the northbound and southbound roadways feature a narrow left (inside)
shoulder. The 2006 Project and Development Design Guide states that 4 foot left side shoulders
should be provided for a freeway cross section, and that 8 foot shoulders are desirable. A wider
shoulder would provide a greater chance of recovery within the paved area. A risk rating of E was
assigned to this issue.
Grade separation between northbound and southbound roadways – This issue was assigned a risk
rating of E. Eleven crashes or 69% of cross-median crashes occurred in the northbound direction, and
both cross-median fatalities involved a northbound vehicle either rolling over or becoming airborne
across the median before coming to rest in the southbound lanes. The higher elevation of the
northbound lanes makes it less likely for the median slope to capture an errant vehicle before it
crosses the median.
Speeding and driver behavior, selective enforcement – Speeding or driver behavior was cited as a
cause of three of the 16 cross-median crashes. Massachusetts State Police personnel present at the
audit stated that manpower limits the amount of additional selective enforcement that can be done on
Route 140, specifically at night. A risk rating of D was assigned to this issue.
Drainage issues near Exit 6 southbound – Exit 6 is a left exit that provides access to Route 18, which
provides direct access to downtown New Bedford. Audit participants suggested that a “flat spot”
exists at this off-ramp which creates drainage issues in heavy rain. The median in this area is
wooded, which prevents cross median crashes but may increase the severity of median crashes. One
of the nine tree strike crashes was a fatal crash that occurred near the Exit 6 southbound off-ramp. A
risk rating of D was assigned to this issue, although it is unknown if drainage issues contributed to the
fatal crash.
Queuing on Exit 4 northbound off-ramp – The northbound off-ramp to Kings Highway (Exit 4) forms
a T-type signalized intersection with Kings Highway. It was noted by audit participants that Kings
Highway suffers from capacity deficiencies at peak hours, and that it often takes multiple cycles of
the traffic signal for vehicles to clear the intersection from the off-ramp. This can create a queue onto
Route 140, which may cause crashes. A risk rating of C was assigned to this issue.
Markings for deceleration lane at Braley Road (Exit 7) northbound off-ramp – Generally, acceleration
and deceleration lanes along Route 140 appear adequate for the roadway. The northbound off-ramp
at Braley Road (Exit 7) has an extended deceleration lane that runs parallel to the travel lanes to
accommodate truck traffic generated by adjacent industrial land use. The lack of markings
delineating this lane could create confusion for drivers and may lead to sideswipe crashes. A risk
rating of D was assigned to this issue.
Dark, unlit roadway – This issue was assigned a risk rating of E. Nine of the 16 crashes occurred
during dawn, dusk or dark conditions, indicating that darkness may contribute to cross-median
crashes along Route 140 and that improvements may be necessary in roadway delineation.
Deer crossings – This issue was assigned a risk factor of E. One of the 16 cross-median crashes and
46 of the 127 median crashes were attributed to a deer strike. Massachusetts State Police personnel
Page 9
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
present at the audit confirmed that deer strikes are a common occurrence along this stretch of Route
140.
Potential Safety Enhancements
After discussing safety issues that may contribute to median and cross-median crashes, audit participants
suggested both short and long term improvements for each issue. Suggested improvements are intended
to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes along the Route 140 corridor. Given that the audit
focused on cross-median crashes, median barriers were first considered.
Guidelines for the use of median barrier have evolved over time. Typically, median barriers were not
used on medians wider than 30 feet. However, in recent years several states have noticed an increase in
the number of cross-median crashes. As previously stated, Massachusetts is a Lead State in preventing
lane departure crashes. A median barrier can be considered when the consequences or severity of a crash
without a barrier are worse than if the barrier were in place. The installation of a median barrier along
Route 140 would help prevent cross-median crashes by providing a physical barrier for an errant vehicle.
Therefore, median barrier should be considered along Route 140.
MassDOT’s 2006 Project Development and Design Guide outlines median barrier warrants based on
guidelines presented in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO) Roadside Design Guide, 2006 Chapter 6 Update.
Page 10
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
For locations with
median widths equal
to or greater than 50
ft, a barrier is not
normally considered
expect in special
circumstances such
as a location with a
significant history of
cross-median
crashes.
(Source: 2006
AASHTO Roadside
Design Guide,
Chapter 6 Update)
Route 140 between County Road (Exit 9) and Ashley Boulevard (Exit 6) has a median width of
approximately 80 feet and an ADT of 30,600 vpd, which falls to the right of the “Barrier Optional” area
of the above table. The Roadside Design Guide notes that a barrier is not normally considered “except in
special circumstances such as a location with a significant history of cross-median crashes”. Route 140
between Ashley Boulevard (Exit 6) and Kings Highway (Exit 4) has a median width of approximately 40
feet and an ADT of 30,600 vpd, which falls in the “Barrier Considered” area in the table. Given these
criteria, a median barrier should be considered for the portion of Route 140 between Ashley Boulevard
(Exit 6) and Kings Highway (Exit 4). Additionally, the history of cross median crashes north of Ashley
Boulevard (Exit 6), including a fatal crash, as well as the discussion and recommendations of the audit
participants suggest that a median barrier should be considered for the entirety of Route 140 between
County Road (Exit 9) and Kings Highway (Exit 4).
The next step in the consideration of median barrier is to determine what type of barrier should be
installed. MassDOT’s 2006 Project Development and Design Guide recommends one of the following
three types of median barrier systems:
Page 11
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
•
Blocked-Out Thrie-Beam guardrail
o
•
Concrete Median Barrier Double-Faced
o
•
Thrie beam must be used for median guard rail on highway facilities with design speeds
over 40 MPH.
This barrier is reinforced concrete in which the sloped shape of the face is designed to
minimize occupant injury, redirection into traffic, and the possibility of rollover. Two
types, the F-shape and Jersey shape are used for barrier systems. The F-shape is
preferred because it better redirects passenger vehicles.
Cable systems
o
At the time of publication of the 2006 Project Development and Design Guide,
MassHighway did not typically use cable systems due to the maintenance and safety
considerations associated with them. Since that time, cable barriers have become more
prominent across the country as states investigate low cost solutions to lane departure and
cross-median crashes.
AASHTO’s Roadside Design Guide suggests a number of criteria that should be evaluated when selecting
a barrier type. These criteria are outlined in Table 6.
Page 12
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
Table 6. Criteria For Barrier Selection
Criteria
1. Performance Capability
2. Deflection
3. Site Conditions
4. Compatibility
5. Cost
Comments
Barrier must be structurally able to contain and redirect
design vehicle.
Expected deflection of barrier should not exceed
available deflection distance.
Slope approaching the barrier and distance from
traveled way may preclude use of some barrier types.
Barrier must be compatible with planned end anchor
and capable of transitioning to other barrier systems
(such as bridge railings).
Initial costs and future costs may weigh heavily in the
barrier selection process
6. Maintenance
Few systems require a significant amount of routine
maintenance.
Generally, flexible or semi-rigid systems require
B. Crash
significantly more maintenance after a collision than
rigid or high-performance railings.
The fewer different systems used, the fewer inventory
C. Material Storage
items/storage space required.
Simpler designs, besides costing less, are more likely
D. Simplicity
to be reconstructed properly by field personnel.
Occasionally, it is important that barrier systems be
7. Aesthetics
crashworthy as well as visually acceptable.
The performance and maintenance requirements of
existing systems should be monitored to identify
8. Field Experience
problems that could be lessened or eliminated by using
a different barrier type.
Source: AASHTO Roadside Design Guide, 3rd Edition 2006.
A. Routine
Given the criteria set forth by the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide and MassDOT design standards, the
barrier systems under consideration were evaluated for potential applicability along Route 140. Concrete
barrier is typically used in narrow medians and/or in urban areas, and therefore should not be considered
for installation along Route 140 given its wide median and rural characteristics. Cable barrier and thriebeam guard rail were then considered from both maintenance and cost perspective.
Maintenance
Maintenance issues that are of consideration when selecting a barrier system include frequency of barrier
hits, cost recovery, system down time, repair effect on traffic, maintaining rigidity or tension, and mowing
the median. The frequency of barrier hits and the effect on mowing operations are identical with the two
systems under consideration. Both barrier systems present the same challenge to mowing operations, as
both provide a physical barrier in the center median. System down time and maintaining rigidity or
tension may be a greater concern with cable barrier, since a collision may damage the cable and require
Page 13
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
repair and/or re-tensioning. Conversely, repair cost may be more significant with thrie-beam guard rail,
due to the fact that a damaged rail may need to be replaced whereas a cable barrier can simply have cable
tension readjusted. Repair effect on traffic may also be greater with guard rail, since it is mounted closer
to the traveled way.
Cost
Estimated per mile costs were developed for both cable barrier and thrie-beam guard rail. Costs for thriebeam guardrail were based on average weighted bid prices from similar MassDOT Highway Division
contracts, while cable costs were based on estimated construction cost of planned MassDOT Highway
Division cable median installation projects.
Table 7. Comparison Costs
Cable
Thrie-Beam Guard Rail
Cost/Mile
$145,000
$305,000
Recommendations
Audit participants identified safety issues and also recommended potential improvements to address these
issues. These improvements are intended to reduce the number of median and cross-median crashes,
reduce the severity of all crashes and increase the overall safety of the Route 140 corridor. Specific
recommendations are discussed in detail in this section and summarized in Table 9. Each improvement
considered has been categorized as short-term, mid-term, or long-term based on the definitions shown in
Table 8. Additionally, a cost category has been assigned to each improvement based on the parameters
set forth in Table 8.
Table 8. Estimated Time Frame and Costs Breakdown
Time Frame
Short-term
<1 year
Mid-term
1–3 years
Long-term
>3 years
•
Costs
Low
Medium
High
<$10,000
$10,001–$50,000
>$50,000
Open, crossable median – The open, crossable median provides no obstacle to errant vehicles that
depart the roadway, and is a direct contributor to both the frequency and severity of cross-median
crashes. A median barrier should be considered for the portion of Route 140 within the study area
with no existing median barrier, from south of County Road (Exit 9) to south of Kings Highway (Exit
4), a length of approximately 9 miles. This is a mid-term, high cost improvement. Cable barrier is
recommended over thrie-beam guardrail due to its lower cost. Breaks should be provided in the
barrier at acceptable intervals to allow for median crossing by emergency vehicles and for
consideration of mowing operations.
Page 14
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Narrow left shoulder – The left shoulder provides limited room for recovery within the paved area.
The 2006 Project Development and Design Guide states that 4 foot wide inside shoulders should be
provided for a freeway cross section. It is recommended that the shoulder be widened to 4 feet in
both directions in the area where the median width exceeds 40 feet. This is a long term, high cost
improvement.
Grade separation between northbound and southbound roadways – The northbound roadway is at a
higher elevation than the southbound roadway through much of the study area. The fact that 69% of
cross-median crashes occurred in the northbound direction may partially be a result of this grade
separation. The cost of regrading large sections of Route 140 is prohibitive; however, installation of a
cable median barrier will reduce the potential of errant northbound vehicles crossing the median.
Northbound lane departures can also be prevented by improvements in roadway delineation. Median
delineator posts are present along the entire corridor, but some are damaged or missing. These
damaged or missing delineators should be repaired or replaced. Additionally, left side yellow edge
line reflectors should be considered for the portion of Route 140 from County Road (Exit 9) to Ashley
Boulevard (Exit 6). Delineator repair is a short term, high cost improvement. Installation of yellow
pavement reflectors is a mid-term, high cost improvement.
Speeding and driver behavior, infrequent enforcement – Massachusetts State Police personnel present
at the audit stated that manpower in the region limits their ability to provide additional selective
enforcement, beyond the regular patrol of Route 140. Additional enforcement targeted at speeding
and aggressive drivers should be considered as a potential improvement for overall safety. This is a
short-term, medium cost improvement.
Drainage issues near Exit 6 southbound –Audit participants suggested that a “flat spot” exists at this
off-ramp which creates drainage issues in heavy rain. Although this issue was not apparent during the
field audit or the audit meeting, further study should be done by MassDOT Highway Division District
5 to determine the severity of the issue and potential solutions.
Queuing on Exit 4 northbound off-ramp –It was noted by audit participants that Kings Highway
suffers from capacity deficiencies at peak hours, and that it often requires multiple cycles of the
traffic signal for vehicles to clear the intersection from the off-ramp. It was also stated by audit
participants that limited capacity along the corridor limits the effectiveness of capacity improvements
of the Route 140 off-ramp/Kings Highway intersection. It is recommended that MassDOT Highway
Division District 5 continue to monitor the traffic in this area, and works with the City of New
Bedford and the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD) to
further explore solutions.
Markings for deceleration lane at Braley Road (Exit 7) northbound off-ramp –The northbound offramp at Braley Road (Exit 7) has an extended deceleration lane that runs parallel to the travel lanes to
accommodate truck traffic generated by adjacent industrial land use. There are no markings
delineating this extended lane, although the lane is wide enough to accommodate a vehicle. It is
recommended that a dotted extension line be added for the parallel deceleration lane, as shown in
Figure 3B-8a (attached) of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). This is a
short term, low cost improvement.
Page 15
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
Page 16
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
•
•
Dark, unlit roadway –Nine of the 16 crashes occurred during dawn, dusk or dark conditions,
indicating that darkness may contribute to cross-median crashes along Route 140. Previously
recommended improvements to roadway delineators and the addition of left side yellow edge line
pavement reflectors have the potential to reduce the frequency and severity of cross-median crashes
occurring at night.
Deer crossings –Although only one of the 16 cross-median crashes
was attributed to a deer strike, Massachusetts State Police personnel
present at the audit stated that deer strikes are a common occurrence
along this stretch of Route 140. Recommend placement of W11-3
Deer Crossing Warning signs along the corridor. This is a short
term, low cost improvement.
Summary of Road Safety Audit
Table 9 summarizes potential recommendations discussed by the audit team. The recommendations are
categorized based on the potential safety payoff, as well as by time frame and cost. The safety payoff is a
qualitative judgment of the effectiveness of the potential safety improvements.
Page 17
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
Table 9. Potential Safety Enhancement Summary
Safety Issue
Open, Crossable Median
Grade Separation
Narrow Left Shoulder
Grade Separation
Dark, unlit Roadway
Grade Separation
Dark, unlit Roadway
Speeding
Markings for Braley Road (Exit 7)
NB Off-ramp
Drainage Issues near Exit 6 SB
Queuing on Exit 4 NB Off-ramp
Deer Crossings
Safety Enhancement
Installation of cable median barrier for 9
miles of Route 140
Widen left shoulder to 4 feet
Safety Payoff
Time Frame
Cost
High
Mid-term
$1,300,000
Medium
Long-term
TBD
Repair/Replace median delineators
Medium
Short-term
$70,000
Install yellow in-pavement reflectors
Medium
Mid-term
$100,000
Increase enforcement
Add dotted extension line for deceleration
lane
Further study of drainage issues
(It is assumed that MassDOT Highway
Division District 5 would perform work)
Further study of capacity issues along
Kings Highway
(It is assumed that this would be a joint
responsibility of MassDOT Highway
Division District 5, SRPEDD and the City
of New Bedford)
Install W11-3 Deer Crossing warning signs
Medium
Short-term
TBD
Medium
Short-term
$10,000
Low
Short-term
TBD
Low
Short-term
TBD
Low
Short-term
$2,000
Page 18
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
Appendix A. RSA Meeting Agenda
Road Safety Audit
New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville – Route 140
Meeting Location: MassHighway District 5 Office
1000 County Street, Taunton
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
10:00 AM – 12:00 noon
Type of meeting:
Cross Median – Road Safety Audit
Attendees:
Invited Participants to Comprise a Multidisciplinary Team
Please bring:
Thoughts and Enthusiasm!!
10:00 AM
Welcome and Introductions
10:15 AM
Introduction to Road Safety Audits and Cross Median Crashes
10:30 AM
Review of Site Specific Material
• Crash Summary– provided in advance
• Existing Geometries and Conditions
• Video and Images
11:30 AM
Completion of RSA
• Identification of Safety Concerns – using RSA Prompt List as a guide
• Identification of Possible Countermeasures
12:00 noon
Adjourn for the Day – but the RSA has not ended
Instructions for Participants:
• Before attending the RSA on October 28th participants are encouraged to drive
Route 140 in New Bedford (south of Interchange 4, where the guardrail
ends)/Freetown/Lakeville (up to Interchange 9) and complete/consider elements on
the RSA Prompt List with a focus on safety factors affecting cross median crashes.
• All participants will be actively involved in the process throughout. Participants
are encouraged to come with thoughts and ideas, but are reminded that the
synergy that develops and respect for others’ opinions are key elements to the
success of the overall RSA process.
• After the initial RSA meeting, participants will be asked to comment and respond
to the document materials to assure it is reflective of the RSA completed by the
multidisciplinary team.
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
Appendix B. RSA Prompt List
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
Appendix C. RSA Audit Team Contact List
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
Participating Audit Team Members
Date:
October 28, 2009
Location:
Route 140 Cross Median Road Safety Audit
MassDOT Highway Division District 5 Office
Audit Team Members
Agency/Affiliation
Greg Lucas
John Mirabito
Lisa Schletzbaum
Jim Hadfield
Jackie Schmidt
Erica Grygorcewicz
Bonnie Polin
Tim White
BETA Group, Inc.
BETA Group, Inc.
MassDOT Highway Division
SRPEDD
SRPEDD
MassDOT Highway Division
MassDOT Highway Division
FHWA
MassDOT Highway Division
District 5
MassDOT Highway Division
District 5
Mass. State Police
Mass. State Police
Bill Travers
Robert Gregory
Daniel Mulkern
Kenneth Hudson
Email Address
GLucas@BETA-Inc.com
JMirabito@BETA-Inc.com
Lisa.schletzbaum@state.ma.us
jhadfield@srpedd.org
jschmidt@srpedd.org
Erica.grygorcewicz@state.ma.us
Bonnie.polin@state.ma.us
Timothy.white@dot.gov
Bill.travers@state.ma.us
Robert.gregory@state.ma.us
Daniel.mulkern@pol.state.ma.us
Kenneth.hudson@pol.state.ma.us
Cross Median - Road Safety Audit—Route 140—New Bedford/Freetown/Lakeville, MA
Prepared by BETA Group, Inc.
Appendix D. Detailed Crash Data
MASSACHUSETTS HIGHWAY SAFETY DIVISION
CRASH SUMMARY
ROADWAY:
Rt. 140
STUDY PERIOD:
NO.
CITY: Freetown and New Bedford
1/1/2005
TO
CRASH DATE
CRASH NUMBER
10/5/2009
TIME OF DAY
LOCATION:
CRASH DAY
TRAVEL
LIGHT
WEATHER
ROAD
REASON FOR
VEHICLE
DRIVER CONTRIBUTING
CRASH
DIRECTION
CONDITION
CONDITION
SURFACE
RUNNING OFF ROAD LEFT
MOVEMENT
CAUSE
SEVERITY
1
2228188
8/13/2007
11:10 PM
Monday
NB
Dark-Not lighted
Clear
Dry
Operator stated that his left tire blew out causing him to go off the road
NB left travel lane across median into SB right travel lane
Not reported
2
1995684
7/26/2005
5:50 PM
Tuesday
SB
Daylight
Clear
Dry
Vehicle braked in response to traffic and swerves first right and then left acoss the median
SB left travel lane into right travel lane across median into NB left travel lane
Operating vehicle in erratic, careless, aggressive, manner
Non-fatal injury
Property Damage Only
3
1995606
8/5/2005
5:40 PM
Friday
NB
Daylight
Cloudy
Dry
Operator attempted to avoid debris in roadway (chunk of wood)
NB left travel lane across median, across all SB lanes into right-hand shoulder
Swerving or avoiding due to vehicle/object in roadway
Property Damage Only
4
1925737
7/14/2005
12:00 AM
Thursday
NB
Dark-Not lighted
Clear
Dry
Operator drove off left side of the NB road, rolled over in the median and came to rest in the SB breadown lane, unkown reason
NB left travel lane across median into SB breakdown lane
Not reported
Fatal injury
5
6
2318834
2260485
5/7/2008
9/29/2007
6:31 AM
7:20 PM
Wedesday
Saturday
SB
SB
Dawn
Dark-Not lighted
Clear
Clear
Dry
Dry
Vehicle speeding (possibly racing another vehicle)
Vehicle was rear-ended
SB right travel lane into right shoulder, across median into NB right travel lane
SB right travel lane across median into NB left travel lane
Not reported
Not reported
Non-fatal injury
Property Damage Only
7
2231468
8/19/2007
5:45 PM
Sunday
NB
Daylight
Not Reported
Dry
Vehicle drifted off the road to the right and overcorrected into an adjacent vehicle
Non-fatal injury
2416553
12/31/2008
9:40 AM
Wedesday
NB
Daylight
Snow/Sleet, Hail…
Ice
Vehicle lost control in snow covered untreated roadway
NB right
travellane
laneacross
into right
shoulder
across
into SB left
lane
NB
left travel
median
into SB
lanesmedian
causingand
secondary
crosstravel
median
crash
Not reported
8
Not reported
Non-fatal injury
9
2227994
6/15/2007
11:00 PM
Friday
NB
Dark-Not lighted
Clear
Dry
Vehicle in northbound lane crossed over the marked lanes striking another vehicle on the southbound side
NB unknown travel lane into SB unknown travel lane and into a tree
Not reported
Non-fatal injury
10
11
2167357
1996869
10/19/2006
6/8/2005
4:15 PM
12:32 PM
Thursday
Wedesday
NB
NB
Daylight
Daylight
Clear
Clear
Dry
Dry
Vehicle swerved sharply into the right guard rail and bounced across two travel lanes and was airborne in the median
Operator swerved to avoid a ladder in the right travel lane and lost control of the vehicl
NB right travel lane into right guardrail, across median into SB right travel lane
NB
right across
travel lane
median
into SB
left travel
lane NB lanes and into NB
SB ramp
rampacross
median,
SB lanes,
dividing
median,
Unknown
Over-correcting/over-steering
Fatal injury
Non-fatal injury
12
2491117
7/6/2009
11:43 PM
Monday
SB
Dark-Not lighted
Cloudy
Dry
Driver lost control on entrance ramp, panicked and stepped on the gas
ramp median
Not reported
Property Damage Only
13
2271423
1/10/2008
2:46 AM
Thursday
NB
Dark-Not lighted
Clear
Dry
Operator struck a deer and lost control of vehicle
NB travel lane across median into SB travel lane
Not reported
Non-fatal injury
14
2268480
11/6/2007
6:36 AM
Tuesday
NB
Dawn
Not Reported
Dry
Vehicle side-swiped an adjacent vehicle and lost control
NB right travel lane across median into SB left travel lane
Not reported
Non-fatal injury
15
16
2342534
2156560 *
5/9/2008
7/11/2006
8:10 PM
8:05 AM
Friday
Tuesday
SB
NB
Dark-Not lighted
Daylight
Rain
Clear
Wet
Dry
Operator lost control of vehicle (possibly traveling too fast for rainy conditions)
For unknown reason vehicle lost control and veered off the roadway
SB travel lane across median across NB travel lane into the woods
NB left travel lane across the median and across the SB lanes into the wood
Not reported
No improper driving
Non-fatal injury
Non-fatal injury
* Could not be located
WEATHER CONDITION
LIGHT CONDITION
TOTAL NO.
DAYLIGHT
DARK NOT LIGHTED
DAWN
CLEAR
CLOUDY
RAIN
SNOW/SLEET…
16
7
7
2
10
2
1
1
2
100%
44%
44%
13%
63%
13%
6%
6%
13%
CRASH SEVERITY
TOTAL NO.
NOT REPORTED
ROAD SURFACE
FATAL
NON-FATAL INJURY
PROPERTY DAMAGE
ONLY
DRY
WET
16
2
10
4
14
1
1
100%
13%
63%
25%
88%
6%
6%
SNOW/ ICE
DRIVER CONTRIBUTING CAUSE
TOTAL NO.
SWERVING OR AVOIDING DUE TO VEHICLE/OBJECT IN
ROADWAY
UNKNOWN
OVER-CORRECTING/ OVERSTEERING
NO IMPROPER
DRIVING
NOT REPORTED
16
1
1
1
1
11
1
100%
6%
6%
6%
6%
69%
6%
2008 AND 2009 CRASH INFORMATION IS NOT COMPLETE
CRASH SUMMARY IS BASED ON CRASH REPORTS WITH STATE POLICE NARRATIVES
OPERATING VEHICLE IN AN ERRATIC,
CARELESS, AGGRESSIVE. MANNER