This week, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Pamela Boratyn announced an investment of $63 million dedicated to projects that improve roadway safety.
Funding from ODOT’s Highway Safety Improvement Program will support 19 safety projects in 14 counties, including the construction of a dozen roundabouts and the installation of several cable barriers.
"We're always looking at how we can make our transportation system safer," said DeWine. "These projects will make improvements that will help reduce the number of crashes, making it safer for those who travel in these areas each day."
Roundabouts are a proven safety measure for reducing severe crashes. Studies by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) show that roundabouts achieve a 44% reduction in crashes and reduce serious injury and deadly crashes by nearly 90% at two-way stop intersections. When roundabouts replaced traffic signals, FHWA found a 48% reduction in crashes and a nearly 80% drop in serious injury and deadly crashes.
Cable barriers reduce the risk of crashes that occur when a vehicle crosses over a highway median and into oncoming traffic. A study from the University of Dayton found that Ohio's median cable barriers were 74% effective at reducing total crashes and 80% effective at reducing fatal and injury crashes. The study also found that 95% of cable median barrier crashes resulted in vehicles being stopped or bounced by the cables, rather than penetrating the barrier.
"Every project we do has an element of safety built in, but these projects were specifically selected and funded because we know they will save lives and reduce the chance of a serious crash," said Director Boratyn.
With an annual budget of more than $180 million, Ohio’s Highway Safety Improvement Program invests more per capita on safety than any other state. In May, Governor DeWine announced $83 million for 28 roadway safety projects in 22 counties. The program addresses locations with a history of fatal or injury crashes where other safety improvements have not been effective.
Source: Ohio Department of Transportation, WKTN.com
