Topic outline

  • Effectiveness of Countermeasures for Roadway Departure Crashes

    Credits: 1 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    In this online engineering PDH course, estimates are discussed of the crash reduction expected if various countermeasures are implemented with respect to roadway departure and other non-intersection crashes. The estimates are presented as Crash Reduction Factors (CRFs).

    Traffic engineers and other transportation professionals can use the information contained in this course when asking the following types of question: Which countermeasures might be considered along a particular section of a highway that is experiencing a high number of roadway departure crashes? What changes in the number of roadway departure crashes can be expected with the implementation of the various countermeasures? To answer questions like these, in this course CRFs are presented in separate tables for barrier, bridge, geometric, median, roadside, and signs/markings/operational countermeasures.

    Topics:

    This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
    • Define “crash reduction factors”;
    • Identify CRFs for barrier, bridge, geometric, median, roadside, and signs/markings/operational countermeasures;
    • Explain how crash severity and road type are taken into account; and
    • Calculate the 95% confidence interval for the potential CRF that might be achieved by implementing the countermeasure.

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for transportation, civil, geotechnical, hydraulics, and other engineering professionals concerned with the design of roadways.
    Publication Source: This course is based on the document, "Toolbox of Countermeasures and Their Potential Effectiveness for Roadway Departure Crashes", FHWA-SA-014 - May 2008, which can be accessed from https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/tools_solve/ped_tctpepc/.

    Mark Rossow PhD, PE (retired)

    • Topic 1