Study Details

Study Title: Crash Modification Factors for Contrast Pavement Markings on Light-Colored Pavement

Authors: Williamson, M. and S. Singh

Publication Date:AUG, 2022

Abstract: Roadway departure crashes are a leading cause of fatal and severe injury crashes on high-speed roadways. The objective of this project was to evaluate the safety benefits of contrast pavement markings and to develop a benefit-cost analysis tool for use in project selection. A nationwide survey was developed and deployed to departments of transportation and highway agencies that identified the use of contrast pavement markings at the national level. The survey further determined that no safety benefits have been quantified by any other agency. A before-and-after study using an empirical Bayes approach was conducted on 70 miles of urban/suburban roadways and included data from six states. Crash modification factors were developed for three roadway types at three crash severity levels, all showing a decrease in crashes with the use of contrast pavement markings. The results of this research can be used to predict the type of crash reductions that can be expected when installing contrast pavement markings on high-speed roadways. A benefit-cost analysis tool was also developed and can be used to evaluate the expected reduction in roadway departure crashes on a given roadway section at each crash severity level. The benefit-cost tool provides justification for the extra cost of contrast pavement markings.

Study Citation: Williamson, M. and S. Singh. "Crash Modification Factors for Contrast Pavement Markings on Light-Colored Pavement." Report No. FHWA-ICT-22-010. Illinois Center for Transportation. Urbana, Illinois. (August 2022).

Study Report: Download the Study Report Document


CMFs Associated With This Study

Category: Delineation

Countermeasure: Install contrast pavement markings

CMF CRF(%)QualityCrash TypeCrash SeverityRoadway TypeArea Type
0.84162 StarsRun off road,SideswipeAllNot specifiedUrban and suburban
0.84162 StarsRun off road,SideswipeONot specifiedUrban and suburban
0.88122 StarsRun off road,SideswipeAllNot specifiedUrban and suburban
0.9372 StarsRun off road,SideswipeK,A,B,CNot specifiedUrban and suburban
0.87132 StarsRun off road,SideswipeONot specifiedUrban and suburban
0.71292 StarsRun off road,SideswipeAllNot specifiedUrban and suburban
0.81192 StarsRun off road,SideswipeK,A,B,CNot specifiedUrban and suburban
0.955Run off road,SideswipeONot specifiedUrban and suburban