Getting the Results We Design For

April 2021

Crashes are not an unanticipated consequence in the U.S. transportation system. Fatalities on US roads have not fallen below 35,000 annually since 1951. Despite the hope from many that lower traffic volumes would lead to reduced road fatalities in 2020, the opposite appears to be true. The National Safety Council reports that as many as 42,060 people died in traffic crashes in 2020.

If we get the results we design for, what are we missing in our design? If we could build safety into each phase of road infrastructure management to reduce preventable injury and death, what would that look like?

WDM USA will join the world’s largest gathering of traffic safety leaders – the 39th Annual Lifesavers Conference – from April 26-28, 2021, to talk about highway safety research, best practices, and cutting-edge initiatives that save lives, such as pavement friction management.

Pavement friction management helps transportation agencies develop a toolbox approach to making safety investments. From using friction data in systemic safety analysis or network screening, to identifying and targeting treatment locations, or assessing ongoing asset performance, pavement friction data promotes transportation agencies’ ability to make cost-effective and life-saving investment decisions.

WDM USA Director Ryland Potter explains, “Friction measurement is understanding where you are now versus where you need to be to reduce crash risk. It allows DOTs to integrate safety into asset management using a data-driven approach and to make more cost-effective decisions.”

“Friction measurement lets you know which tool is best – how you use those tools,” she adds, “is friction management.”

Globally, pavement friction management programs have been shown to reduce road fatalities by up to 40%.

To change the results on US roads, we can take steps both large and small to save lives. Among those is integrating pavement friction data into design and maintenance decisions.

To learn more about pavement friction management, contact Ryland Potter at WDM USA

To visit us virtually during the Lifesavers Conference or pre-book an appointment with Ryland Contact Us 

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