International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 01 | Jan 2025
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Evaluation of the Need Chevron Sings on Horizontal Curves along the Kabul-Jalalabad National Highway Mohammad Miakhel1, Ahmadullah Habib1, Engr. Shah Masoud Mokhlis 2 1 Civil Engineering Department, Alfalah University, Jalalabad, Afghanistan
2 HoD, Research & Lecturer at Civil Engineering Department Alfalah university, Jalalabad, Afghanistan
-----------------------------------------------------------------------***-------------------------------------------------------------------------Abstract The stability and effectiveness of traffic control devices are critical for ensuring the safety of highways. According to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), chevron markings should be employed at locations with a significant change in the horizontal alignment of the road. The Kabul-Jalalabad highway, a two-lane route traversing mountainous terrain, features numerous horizontal curves that pose potential risks to drivers. This study aims to identify specific curves along this highway that require chevron signage to mitigate the risk of accidents. Spanning 152 kilometres, the Kabul-Jalalabad rural highway contains 268 horizontal curves. Field data was collected to analyse the radii of these curves. The results indicate that 33 curves have radii less than 200 meters, highlighting these locations as critical points where chevron signs should be installed. When building horizontal curves, it is recommended that highway planners prioritize incorporating traffic signs, especially chevron markings. Furthermore, to improve safety and lower accident rates, the Ministry of Transportation should maintenance the continuous upkeep and visibility of these signs along the highway.
Keywords Accident, Traffic sign, Horizontal curves, Kabul Jalalabad national highway, chevron sign
Introduction Everyone travels to their place of employment, play, or business. Every good that is moved from the factory to the marketplace, from the employees to the client, and from the land to the location of manufacturing or use. People travel around more easily when they use various forms of transportation, such as the road, the air, the sea, the train, etc. The simplest, most convenient, and closest form of transportation is by road. Road transportation thus facilitates the movement of people and goods from one location to another, In the world, there are many deaths and serious injuries due to car accidents. Every year in Afghanistan, many people lose their lives due to accidents. There are many reasons for accidents such as improper geometric conditions of the road, carelessness of drivers, lack of traffic signals on horizontal and vertical curves.[1] Curves both horizontal and vertical, are important components of highway safety and require more consideration. The primary cause of road user safety concerns on horizontal curves is improper speeding. Giving drivers advance notice and instructions can help with this problem. There are several approaches to solving this issue, such as installing particular tools. One of the most crucial warning signs for directing vehicles through horizontal curves is the chevron sign. [2]. (WHO), traffic accidents cause between 20 and 50 million injuries and 1.25 million deaths globally each year. Road accidents are currently the ninth most common cause of death for young people, but by 2023, they should rise to the fifth spot. Three main things are to blame for traffic accidents: poor road conditions, human behaviour, and problems with vehicles.[3] A study by Zhao et al. showed that good sign design is advantageous because it alerts drivers ahead of time to potential hazards on the road. [4] Road crews can be warned of potentially dangerous areas by using chevron signs. Chevron signs ought to be used to promote slower car speeds as they approach horizontal curves. [5] Since road accidents continue to claim lives daily, the problem of road safety has drawn attention from all across the world. According to data from the World Health Organization. [6] The type of vehicle, the weather, uneven road conditions, traffic jams, and insufficient road markings are possible additional contributing variables. [7] Since there are notably more collisions at night than during the day, having better road markings is essential to lowering the number of accidents. Research shows that the installation of word marking systems on roads has resulted in a 30% reduction in collisions.[8] There has been an increase in collision frequency, with a 2.5% increase from 1990 to 2010. [9] Because of their very nature, horizontal curves on roads present a special risk. Collision rates are strongly influenced by parameters like radius, super-elevation, range, and speed. [10] Curves increase the risk of accidents by 1.5 to 4 times; in fact, 25% to 30% of all traffic collisions occur in these areas. [11] Studies reveal that while 57% of accidents happen at night, 43% happen during the day. [12] According to studies, inadequate road marking systems and traffic flow characteristics are two main causes
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