Corridor Studies

A corridor study may include many types of projects including Solutions Development projects, interchange studies, environmental studies, feasibility studies, and others. When completing a safety analysis for a corridor, it is recommended that the following steps be completed:

1. Complete a roadway segment safety analysis.

2. Complete an intersection safety analysis for all major intersections in the corridor.

3. Reference network screening tools (USRAP,  AASHTO Safetyware, and others)

4. Identify potential countermeasures or design improvements. 

The corridor study should include at a minimum the following deliverables / information:

1. Summary of the crash data

   • This can be done by including a map of crashes, crash heat map, or other method for the audience to understand where crashes are occurring.

   • Summary of crash attributes

   • Identify any crash patterns or hot spots

2. Summary of results of network screening models to identify areas where the existing infrastructure could be improved, crash hot spot locations, or other issues.

3. List of recommended safety improvements that are associated with the Strategic Highway Safety Plan.

Future Implications for Safety

Planning decisions often impact the safety of the roadway. Consider the implications of these decisions on safety including, but not limited to, these critical elements:

Cross section - Future cross sections for corridors should be planned to improve safety. For example, consider placing shoulder or center barriers along the corridor in rural areas, access management standards that reduce conflicts, or including shoulders that are wide enough for bicycles and emergency use.

Improvements - When recommending future improvements, consider how these improvements will impact safety. There may be small changes that could be made to the proposed improvements that will reduce crashes in the future. 

Future growth - Consider safety in relation to future growth along the corridor. For example, the corridor may not have a significant history of angle crashes, but with future growth they may become a problem. By planning for reducing conflicts and adding safety features and countermeasures, future growth can be accommodated safely. 

Active Transportation - Consider including plans for safe active transportation facilities. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and other users need safe ways to travel across and through the corridor. 

Alternative Comparison

Use a predictive crash analysis when comparing future alternatives. This can be done with intersections and segments. For example, planning for future center medians on a corridor will reduce the predicted number of crashes along a corridor. By comparing the predicted crashes and associated costs of each alternative,  alternatives that reduce crashes can be prioritized.