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Safety Rest Area Implementation Framework and Strategy Final Version

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Safety Rest Area Implementation Framework and Strategy Final Version Alberta Transportation Safety Rest Area Implementation Framework POLICY FRAMEWORK & IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY FINAL MARCH 31, 2004 Report No. R: 863 March 31, 2004 Alberta Transportation 2nd Floor, Twin Atria Building Edmonton, AB Attention: Jim Der, Director Technical Standards Branch Re: Safety Rest Area Implementation Framework and Strategy Final Version As a result of the suggestions provided by the Infrastructure Managers and further discussions with TRANS technical people, attached is the final version of the framework. Where comments received from the TRANS Regions applied to the framework, such comments have been incorporated into this document. Additionally, some changes to the F2 Highway Design Guide have also been updated as a result of this framework. We believe this document is now complete and ready for ATRANS signoff in preparation for issuance as a policy document. We thank you and TRANS representatives for their participation in the preparation of this document. Sincerely, Dennis W. Pommen, CLGM, CHRP President ALBERTA TRANSPORTATION SAFETY REST AREA POLICY FRAMEWORK & IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED WITHIN THIS REPORT WERE PRESENTED TO ALBERTA TRANSPORTATION DIVISIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON JANUARY 27TH, 2004. THIS DOCUMENT IS COMPLETE AND HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY ALBERTA TRANSPORTATION WITH THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS: • Delete the high load/over dimensional staging areas. Original signed by Allan Kwan Allan Kwan Executive Director Technical Standards Branch Date: March 31, 2004 . Report No. R: 863 SAFETY REST AREA POLICY FRAMEWORK & IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY – MARCH 31, 2004 Policy Framework and Implementation Strategies ALBERTA TRANSPORTATION 1 SAFETY REST AREA POLICY FRAMEWORK & IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY – MARCH 31, 2004 Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary......................................................................................................... 5 2 Policy and Strategy Summary ...................................................................................... 10 3 Policy Framework.......................................................................................................... 23 3.1 Definitions........................................................................................................... 23 3.2 Policy Statement ................................................................................................. 24 3.3 Purpose................................................................................................................ 25 3.4 Scope................................................................................................................... 26 3.4.1 Standards and Guidelines........................................................................... 26 3.4.2 Identified Need............................................................................................ 26 3.4.3 Safety and Driver Fatigue........................................................................... 27 3.4.4 Commercial Vehicle Requirements............................................................. 27 3.5 TRANS Region Responsibilities ........................................................................ 29 3.6 Construction Procedures..................................................................................... 30 3.6.1 Step 1 - Policy and Strategic Implementation............................................. 31 3.6.2 Step 2 - Site Evaluation Stage..................................................................... 31 3.6.3 Step 3 - Implementation Stage .................................................................... 31 3.6.4 Step 4 - Construction Stage......................................................................... 32 3.6.5 Step 5 - Monitoring and Maintenance Stage .............................................. 32 3.7 Policy Framework Q & A................................................................................... 33 3.7.1 Why do we need to build and maintain SRAs? ........................................... 33 3.7.2 What is the current standard of SRA spacing? ........................................... 33 3.7.3 What is the selection criteria used to pick specific SRA locations? ........... 34 3.7.4 Who decides on the priority by which the SRA is built?............................. 34 3.7.5 What is the significance of the priorities assigned to the SRAs?................ 34 4 Implementation Strategies ............................................................................................ 37 4.1 Implementation Strategy Statement.................................................................... 37 4.2 Safety Rest Area Strategies................................................................................. 38 4.2.1 Signs............................................................................................................ 38 4.2.2 Spacing........................................................................................................ 38 4.2.3 Locations..................................................................................................... 39 4.2.4 Facilities and Services ................................................................................ 39 4.2.5 Marketing and Education ........................................................................... 41 4.3 Functional Factors............................................................................................... 42 4.3.1 General Summary ....................................................................................... 42 4.3.2 Classes of Safety Rest Areas ....................................................................... 42 4.3.3 Safety Rest Area Design Principles ............................................................ 42 4.3.4 Specific Functional Factors........................................................................ 43 4.3.5 Location ...................................................................................................... 43 4.3.6 Traffic Characteristics................................................................................ 44 4.3.7 Facilities and Services ................................................................................ 46 4.4 Design Criteria.................................................................................................... 47 4.4.1 Safety Rest Areas Design Templates........................................................... 47 4.4.2 Geometric Considerations .......................................................................... 55 5 Future Safety Rest Area Locations .............................................................................. 58 5.1 Summary Map and Tables .................................................................................. 58 ALBERTA TRANSPORTATION 2 SAFETY REST AREA POLICY FRAMEWORK & IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY – MARCH 31, 2004 5.1.1 Geographical Positioning of Future Safety Rest Areas.............................. 58 5.2 Map ..................................................................................................................... 59 5.3 Summary of Future Safety Rest Area Locations ................................................ 60 5.3.1 Alberta Overall ........................................................................................... 60 5.3.2 Peace Region .............................................................................................. 61 5.3.3 North Central Region.................................................................................. 63 5.3.4 Central Region............................................................................................ 65 5.3.5 Southern Region.......................................................................................... 67 5.4 Requests for Future Non-Urban Safety Rest Areas ............................................ 69 5.4.1 Step 1 – Does the Safety Rest Area Qualify? .............................................. 69 5.4.2 Step 2 – Need Point Scoring ....................................................................... 69 5.4.3 Step 3 – Prioritization for Construction ..................................................... 72 5.5 SRA Non-urban Application Flow Chart ........................................................... 74 5.6 Safety Rest Area Site Evaluation Chart.............................................................. 75 6 Appendices......................................................................................................................79 6.1 Project Credits..................................................................................................... 79 6.2 Research Material............................................................................................... 80 6.2.1 Background................................................................................................. 80 6.2.2 Functional Factors...................................................................................... 81 6.3 Safety Statistics................................................................................................... 85 6.3.1 AASHTO Rest Area August 2001 Summary................................................ 85 6.3.2 Fatigue and Driving.................................................................................... 88 6.3.3 Increased Truck Traffic............................................................................... 89 6.3.4 Canada Road Safety...................................................................................
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