Module Five
Navigating Roadways
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Module Five
Navigating Roadways
Topic 1 Intersections
Topic 2 Curves
Topic 3 Hills and Mountains
Topic 4 Expressways
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What do you see at this intersection?
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One out of three fatal crashes
occurs at intersections due to:
Drivers fail to search and identify a safe path of travel when
approaching an intersection
Drivers don’t identify or understand the risks
Drivers fail to develop good driving habits to effectively
manage the risks
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Crossroad – Four-way intersection
T Intersection - one road ends where
the other road crosses
Y Intersection – you must bear either
right or left ahead
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Roundabout – a circular
intersection in which entering
traffic must yield right of way
Railroad Crossing – road
intersects with a railroad crossing
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Two-way road crossing two-way road
One-way road crossing one-way road
One-way road crossing two-way road
One-way road merges with multi-lane road
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If possible, begin searching 20-30 seconds
ahead of the intersection
Using an orderly visual search pattern
Identify the type of intersection
Identify open, closed and changing zones
Identify the best lane and lane position
Determine if the intersection is controlled or
uncontrolled
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Intersection flow is regulated by STOP signs,
YIELD signs or traffic SIGNALS
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There are No Signs or Traffic Lights Traffic Light
is Malfunctioning
The first vehicle that arrives at the intersection
may proceed first if the other yields right of
way
If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the
driver on the left must yield to the driver on
the right
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When you can see the
intersection, begin SEARCHING
for the
Type of intersection
Intersection controls
Risks or problems in your
intended path of travel
Also monitor the areas to the
rear
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During your Search you
identified potential risks, and
you must now Evaluate your
options on how to handle:
Traffic Controls
Stop sign, yield sign, traffic
light
No traffic controls
Open, closed or changing path
of travel
Cross traffic
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You have Searched, and Evaluated
and determined the best course of
action. You must now EXECUTE in
Time
Position vehicle in proper lane
Obey traffic controls and prepare to
yield if necessary
Search and monitor space as you
carefully proceed through the
intersection
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Time Needed to Execute
If proceeding straight across a
30-feet wide, 2-lane roadway
from a stop you need a 4-second
gap
If turning right and blending into
the traffic flow you need a 6second gap
If turning left and blending into
the flow of traffic, you need an
8- second gap
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Vehicles traveling 30 mph, are traveling at
approximately 45 feet per second
To safely cross the intersection, the
Vehicles from the right must be at least 270 feet away
To safely turn right and blend into traffic, the
Vehicles approaching from the left must be 360 feet away
To safely turn left and blend into traffic, the
Vehicles approaching from the right must be 495 feet away
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Select the best lane at least a
block ahead
Center lane(s) – safest when
traveling straight through
Right lane is used when
turning right - cross traffic,
turning right on red will enter this
lane
Left lane is used to turn left - yield to
oncoming traffic
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Vehicles turning right on red
Permitted throughout the United States
unless you see these signs
Why? Right turn on red law saves gas!
The law requires drivers to STOP, (wheels
motionless) before making the right on
red- not a “rolling” stop!
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Look for clues:
Driver is looking to the left or right
Vehicle positioned on the
left side of the lane
Front wheels are turning
left or right
Pedestrian standing at curb
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Right-of-way rules not followed
Failure to signal
Failure to search intersections
Failure to stop on red before
turning right
Turning too wide and crossing
into adjacent lane
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Search Intersection for:
Line-of-Sight or Path-of-Travel
Restrictions
Parked vehicles
Cross traffic
Vehicles turning left
Pedestrians
Bicyclists
Confirm lane turning on has an open
zone and if it’s a two-way or a oneway street
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List “the clues” you see at this intersection
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Position the vehicle in the correct lane at least one
block before the turn
Using the image above, which lane would you select?
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A right turn should be made from lane ___ into
lane ____
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Turn lanes improve the flow of traffic
The right turn lane merges
ahead… Search for yielding
or stopped traffic in the
merge area
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Crossing multiple lanes
Vehicle in intersection
longer
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Intersection Search
Determine if you have a safe path of travel through the
intersection
Be prepared to stop or yield
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You are the driver of the
black SUV.
What lane must you be
in to turn left?
Select the proper lane prior to arriving at the
intersection
Remain in your lane throughout the turn
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A left turn should be
made from lane ___
into lane ___
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Protected
Unprotected
Vehicles turning left have a green arrow
All other traffic has a red light
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Red Arrow – Stop no left turns
Solid Yellow – Clear the intersection
the signal will turn red
Flashing Yellow Arrow – Left turns
allowed but must yield to oncoming
traffic – oncoming traffic has a green
light
Green – Go if the way is clear –
oncoming traffic has a red light
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Shared lanes help keep traffic
moving by giving drivers turning
left a designated shared lane in
the center of the roadway
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Use shared lanes to start and
complete left turns
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Crossing traffic entering a shared lane from a driveway
Move all the way into the
lane to avoid blocking
through traffic lane
Stop in the shared lane and
wait to merge safely with
traffic
Is the black truck allowed to stop in
the shared lane and wait for traffic
to the right to clear?
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Look for other drivers
using the shared lane
You can only travel 150
feet in a shared lane
Collisions do occur in
shared lanes!
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A staggered stop is another example of the importance of
vehicle/lane position
Stop lines are located to improve visibility and provide for additional
turning radius
Typically provides about 15 feet of space to the front
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Running red lights
Failing to signal
Entering on a stale green
Blocking the intersection
Failing to stop before the stop line
Failing to comply with right-of-way rules
Failing to stay within the turning lane
Failing to judge a sufficient gap for the turn
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A circular intersection controlled
by yield signs
Entries and exits into and out of
the circle can be at multiple
locations
By yielding at the entry, rather
than stopping and waiting for a
green light or stopping at a stop
sign, significantly reduces delays
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Fewer points of conflict
The data shows a
90% reduction in fatal crashes
75% reduction in injury crashes
Reduces delays and keeps traffic
moving
Reduction in pollution and fuel use
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Module Five
Navigating Roadways
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Curvy roads present a high risk
There are many line-of-sight and/or path-of-travel restrictions
(trees, hills, etc.)
Blind Curve
Only a portion of the corner is visible; the rest is hidden
S-Curve
A curve in one direction with a second curve in the
opposite direction
S Curve
Crowned Roadways
Most roadways are higher in the middle and slope to
the outside for better drainage
If a road curves to the left on a crowned roadway,
what happens to the weight of the vehicle?
Banked Curve
The outside of the curve is higher than the
inside
How does a banked curve help vehicles stay
on the road when navigating the curve?
Banked Curve
Uphill: acceleration is needed to maintain speed
Downhill: vehicles will naturally pick up speed
Why do vehicles “slow down” going uphill and
“speed up” coming downhill?
Sharp Curve
Curve to right followed by curve to left
Winding Road
Road curves right – vehicle’s weight shifts left
Maximum SAFE speed is 25 mph
Entrance
Apex
Approximately the
middle of the curve
Exit
Friction
The resistance to motion between materials moving over one
another
Traction
Friction between tires and the road surface
Keeps vehicle on the road and allows vehicle to respond to acceleration,
braking and steering
Traction is reduced by
speed
centrifugal force
road conditions
worn tires
Vehicle weight shifts
When traction is lost, the vehicle does not respond to driver input
Inertia
An object moving in a straight line will continue in a straight
line unless another force acts on it
Inertia must be overcome to round the curve
Traction is needed to overcome inertia
If a vehicle loses traction in a curve, the vehicle will
continue straight
Inertia and traction are affected by
Road surface, condition of tires, speed, sharpness of curve
Inertia increases with increased speed and sharpness of the
curve
Traction decreases with increased speed, reduction in tire’s
contact with road surface and road surface conditions
Vehicle Weight Transfer
The weight of a vehicle rounding a curve
shifts to the opposite direction of the curve
Rounding a curve to the right will result in the
vehicle’s weight transferring left
The right tires may lose contact with the road
resulting in less traction
Photo courtesy of AAA Foundation
Rounding a curve with too much
speed can result in the vehicle
turning over
Adding weight to the top of a vehicle
also increases the tendency to turn
over as the center of gravity has
been raised
Speed control and smooth,
controlled steering are needed to
maintain control
Vehicle performance in a curve depends upon
Weight of the vehicle
Center of gravity of the vehicle
Speed
Pavement conditions
Tire condition
Driver input
What is the best method of steering through this curve?
Why?
Search the road ahead
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Uphill/downhill?
Blind curve?
Crowned or banked?
Sharpness of curve?
Road surface conditions?
What can you determine as you search the curve ahead?
After Searching
Evaluate your options
Lane position
Visibility
Space management
Speed control
Controlled braking before apex
Accelerate out of the curve
Steering
Push-Pull
Line of sight
Look through the curve
Path of travel
Execute in Time
When approaching a Curve to the
Left
It is generally best to approach the
curve in Lane Position 3, as far away
as possible from oncoming traffic
This position also provides the best
targeting point for your line of sight
Begin in
Lane Position 3
When approaching a Curve to the
RIGHT
An outside road position on
entry to a right curve (Lane
Position 2) allows for a longer
braking distance on entry and a
better chance of establishing a
sightline to the apex and exit of
the curve
Begin in Lane Position 2
Hills and Mountains
Applying SEEiT
Search ahead for advisory speed signs, oncoming
traffic, road conditions for traction control, and slow
moving vehicles
Evaluate if the hill has curves and determine the type
of curve for decision-making about speed and lane
positions
Driving Uphill—Speed Control
Extra power may be needed to
maintain uphill speed
Slower moving vehicles should
travel in the right-hand lane
Photo courtesy of AAA Foundation
What is gravity?
How does it affect a vehicle on
hills or mountains?
Descending Hills & Mountains
Gravity will make the vehicle go
faster
Downshift and use the
transmission to reduce speed and
help keep brakes from overheating
and overheating
What are the clues in this scene that
describe the roadway conditions?
Descending
Heavier vehicles will pick up more
speed downhill because of gravity
Check the rear zone for vehicles
that may be having trouble
controlling speed
Turn off the cruise control
What should the pickup truck driver
remember when passing the tanker
truck?
Cresting the Hill
The LOS at a hill crest is very limited
Be prepared for:
Stopped vehicles
Slow moving vehicles
Oncoming vehicle in your lane
Be prepared adjust speed or position to avoid a hazard
What potential hazards could exist on the other side of the hill crest?
Carry Out Your Decision
Adjust speed and/or position if
needed
What would you do if an
approaching vehicle crossed the
center of the road?
Runaway Ramps
Runaway ramps are designed for large trucks that lose
braking control on steep hills
These sections have deep gravel, sand barrels and other
materials to help slow down the runaway vehicle
Pull off the road if you see a runaway truck behind you
Starting on Hills—Automatic Transmission
Some steep hills require using the accelerator and brake
together to keep the vehicle from rolling backward
Maintain brake pressure until ready to move
Use the right foot to accelerate and simultaneously slowly
release the brake
Expressway Driving
Characteristics of expressways
Entering the expressway
Types of Interchanges
Signs
Pavement Markings
Lane selection
Lane changes
Passing
Space Management
Exiting the expressway
Limited access
Limited entry and exit
High-speed divided highway with
more than one lane running in each
direction
Divided by a barrier or median
Higher speeds (up to 70 mph)
Designed to carry lots of traffic
quickly and efficiently
The Interstate Highway system in Virginia is 1,118.66 miles
long
There are 6 major routes and 10 loops and spurs from the
mainline routes
Is there a relationship
between speed and injury
severity in a crash?
Photo courtesy of AAA Foundation
Even numbers go east-west (I-64, I-66)
Odd numbers go north-south (I-77, I-81, I-95)
Odd numbers begin in the west and get larger as they move east
Even numbers begin in the south and get larger as they move north
3-digit numbers designate an alternate route
If the first digit is even, the alternate route
goes around the city (I-664)
If it is odd, it leads into the city (I-164)
Is there a loop around your city?
Provides limited access to the expressway
The entrance ramp allows drivers to enter the ramp and begin
searching for a gap/open space
Accelerate to speed of traffic
Determine the open space and merge safely
Entrance
Ramp
Heavy traffic, short ramps and acceleration lanes
High walls that may block visibility
Traffic ahead on the ramp that slows or stops abruptly
Sharp curves on the ramp that restrict visibility
On-Ramp
3 Parts of the Entrance Ramp
1.
2.
3.
Entrance
Acceleration lane
Merge area
1. Entrance
3. Merge Area
2. Acceleration Lane
Entrance ramp traffic lights are designed to distribute traffic
onto the expressway when traffic is heavy
Permits one car at a time to enter the expressway
Make sure the entrance ramp is the correct one
Watch for “Do Not Enter” or “Wrong Way” signs
Check front and rear zones
Observe traffic conditions on the limited access roadway
Signal, check mirrors and blind zones
Prepare to adjust speed for heavy traffic on the ramp
Avoid stopping or backing up on a ramp
On-Ramp
You’ve made a mistake and entered the EXIT ramp!
If you ever enter a ramp area and see it marked with “DO
NOT ENTER” and/or “WRONG WAY” signs, immediately
pull over to the edge of the road, you are going in the
wrong direction
The possibility of a collision is high
When the way is clear, turn around and get off the ramp
Used to accelerate to blend with the speed of traffic on
the expressway
Acceleration Lane
Maintain speed/acceleration
Signal
In the acceleration lane accelerate
to the speed of vehicles on the
limited access road
Continue to check front and rear
zones, mirrors and blind spot
Decide when and where to merge
The merge area provides a designated space to blend into
expressway traffic
. Merge Area
Check Front Zone
Check Rear and Left Rear Zones
Select Gap
Identify a Target Area in the Open Space and Merge
Heavy traffic
Lack of a gap
Traffic slowing or stopping ahead
When a driver is attempting to merge onto the expressway, help
them by adjusting speed or changing lanes if it is safe to do so
Merging
Could adjust speed or
change lanes
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Cloverleaf Interchange
Cloverleaf Interchanges have shared entrance and exit
lanes known as WEAVE lanes
Traffic is permitted to move ONLY in
the direction indicated by the arrows
A “weave” lane serves as both an entrance and an exit lane
Traffic entering and exiting must use the same lane
Conflicts can occur
The driver entering from the entrance ramp should yield to the driver
leaving the expressway
Vehicle entering
expressway
Vehicle
exiting
expressway
Diamond Interchange
Traffic is permitted to move ONLY in
the direction indicated by the arrows
Trumpet Interchange
Traffic is permitted to move ONLY in the
direction indicated by the arrows
Frontage Road Interchange
Traffic is permitted to move ONLY in
the direction indicated by the arrows
Expressway Signs
Warning signs
Regulatory Signs
How can these signs help drivers maintain a safe path of travel, proper lane
position, and lane choice?
High Occupancy Vehicles
only
During heavy traffic periods,
HOV lanes are reserved for
buses, carpools, other high
occupancy vehicles
Motorcycles and certain
clean special fuel vehicles
are also allowed to use the
HOV lane
Mile markers show the number of miles
from where the Interstate route entered
a state
The counting always begins at the state
line in the south (for north-south routes)
and in the west (for east-west routes)
Mile marker numbers always get larger
as drivers travel east or north
Mile markers help drivers know exactly where they are
These numbers are useful if a driver needs to call for assistance
by giving an exact location
Exit numbers align with mile marker numbers
Reversible lane signals
Traffic signals on expressways are rare and most
commonly use d to identify reversible lanes
A GREEN arrow over a lane—the lane is open for travel
A RED “X” over a lane—travel in that lane is closed or
prohibited
A YELLOW “X” over a lane—travel in that lane is about to
change or close
What are the signals telling drivers in this traffic scene?
Lane Choice
Lane choice is dependent upon several factors
Volume of traffic
Type of traffic
Speed
Planned exit
Right Lane
Center Lane
Left Lane
You will be driving on this expressway for 20 miles Which lane
would you choose and why?
Lane Changes
Reasons for changing lanes include:
Entering or exiting
Allowing another driver to enter
Following large or slow-moving vehicles
Lane ahead blocked
Being tailgated
Construction
Passing
Changing Lanes
Check traffic ahead, behind and to the sides (mirrors
and head check)
Signal your intention to change lanes
Select a safe gap in traffic
Re-check traffic
Maintain a safe following distance
Adjust your speed, steer smoothly to the new lane,
cancel your turn s
Passing
After completing the first lane change
Pass and signal to return
Check mirrors
When both sets of headlights of the vehicle
being passed are visible, return to the lane
Cancel signal
Adjust speed and/or vehicle position to
create space all around your vehicle
TIME and SPACE are necessary to
avoid conflict
Space allows the driver time to react to
traffic situations
Maintaining space around your vehicle
greatly reduces crash probability
Maintaining Space Ahead
Maintaining Space Behind
Maintaining Space to the Sides
Managing Time and Space
Establishing space and driving at
the speed of traffic is the best way
to maintain safe space around the
vehicle
Avoid exceeding the posted
speed limit
Space Ahead
Drivers have the most control over the space directly in front of
the vehicle
Establishing Space Ahead
Following too closely is a primary
cause of traffic collisions
Following distance is critical on the
expressway
Time is needed to react to
danger to avoid a collision
Increase Following Distance
Following large trucks or buses
Following motorcycles
Driving in bad weather
When being tailgated
When driving with a heavy load or
pulling a trailer
Entering/exiting the expressway
Establishing Space Behind
When another driver tailgates,
it is safer to change lanes if
possible
Managing Space to the Sides
Maintain an alternate path (an open area to at least
one side) into which the vehicle can be steered
“Wolf packs” are groups of drivers
traveling together at higher speeds
Driving in a “wolf pack” allows you
little or no margin of safety
Avoid “wolf packs”
If you see a “wolf pack”
approaching from the rear,
move over and let them by
Expressways through cities
Be prepared for sudden “slow down”
and congestion
Avoid driving in the right lane when
vehicles are merging
Search for signs, signals, and
roadway markings
Search for exits early to avoid last
minute lane changes
Expressways are designed to carry lots of traffic
quickly and efficiently
However they can quickly become a “parking lot”
Construction
Crashes
Rush hour traffic
Traffic may be tied up
for hours
Do not go blindly onto a limited access highway without
checking for traffic condition
Technology now offers a Global Positioning System (GPS) that
can help drivers locate alternative routes
Identify the Exit Early
Exits are marked with guide signs, usually one to two miles
before the exit
You can determine if an exit is a right exit or a left exit by
the position of the exit number on the sign.
In Virginia, exit numbers correspond with mile marker
numbers
About one-half mile (20- to 30- seconds) before the exit,
signal and move to the lane closest to the exit
Is this a right or left exit?
The exit has two components:
1. Deceleration lane
2. Exit ramp
2. Exit Ramp
1. Deceleration Lane
This is the area where speed can be significantly reduced
Deceleration lanes allow drivers to reduce their speed without blocking
traffic on the expressway
Look for the advisory speed sign for the deceleration lane
Wait until reaching the deceleration lane before reducing speed
Exit Ramp
Deceleration Lane
THE EXIT RAMP ALLOWS
TRAFFIC TO ENTER AN
ADJOINING ROADWAY
Brake to Warning Sign Speed — Check
Behind
Scan New Path of Travel to the Front
Search for Traffic Control Signs or Signals
Short deceleration lane
Sharp curve on ramp
Traffic stopped on the exit ramp
There may be a STOP sign or a traffic light
at the end of the exit ramp. The driver
must adjust from a fast speed to a STOP
in a short distance.
Search for
Signs, signals and markings
Sudden changes in traffic flow
Constant lane changers
Traffic entering and exiting the
expressway
Tailgaters
Traffic suddenly slowing
Evaluate
Execute
Avoid sudden moves
Use minimal steering inputs to
change lanes when passing,
entering, or exiting
Avoid last minute decisions or
indecision
higher speeds demand quicker
decisions
Signal for every maneuver
In Time
DISABLED VEHICLES
Don’t be a “rubber necked”
Give the disabled vehicle plenty of room
Pull as far off the roadway as possible if your vehicle becomes
disabled