USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                    About FHWAFHWA Organization
                Headquarters Offices
                Field Offices
                Strategic Plan
                Business Opportunities
                Staff Directories
                Careers
                Highway History
                Contact UsProgramsAcquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                Safety
                Browse by TopicsResourcesCore Highway Topics
                Federal Aid Essentials
                Automation
                Complete Streets
                Laws and Regulations
                Policy & Guidance Center
                Section 508
                Publications and Statistics
                Professional Development
                National Highway Institute
                Resource Center
                Accessibility Resource Library
                FHWA Research LibraryNewsroomPress Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Photos
                Videos
                Media ContactsMenu FHWA Highway Safety Programs Home
                        Safety
                        Roadway Departure Safety
                        Provide for a Safe Recovery
                        SafetyEdge


            
            In This Section
        SafetyEdge
                General Information
                Safety
                Pavement and Maintenance
                Design and Construction
                Policies and Practices
                Multimedia
                Demonstrations
                FAQs
      
   Program Contact
      Paul LaFleur
      
                    
            Roadway Departure Program Manager
      
                    
            FHWA Office of Safety
      
                
    **Email:**paul.lafleur@dot.gov**Phone:** 515-233-7308
    If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
                
                General Information
    

    
    
          Photo: Roadway EquipmentSafetyEdgeSM  is a simple and effective solution to mitigate pavement edge-related crashes. When installed properly, simply consolidating the edge of the pavement to 30-degree shape during the paving process can eliminate the problem of vertical edge drop-off. Research has shown this shape "provides a transition from on-roadway surface to shoulder and back so smooth it defies assignment of any degree of severity..."

Key benefits of the SafetyEdgeSM technology include:

**Its ability to saves lives** by allowing vehicles to safely return to the travel lane and mitigate pavement edge drop-off.
	**An improvement can be seen in pavement durability** by reducing edge raveling.
	**Its cost is low**, which is attributed to the addition of typically less than 1 percent of the project's total asphalt quantity.The SafetyEdgeSM  provides a strong, durable transition for vehicles to return to the paved road smoothly and easily. Its shape ensures that tire scrubbing will not occur when the pavement edge is exposed. SafetyEdgeSM  can be added to both asphalt and concrete pavement projects.

The graphic below illustrates how a traditional pavement edge compares with the SafetyEdgeSM when newly installed and over time with typical wear and erosion.

Photo: Roadway Equipment

FHWA strongly encourages implementation of SafetyEdgeSM given its extreme effectiveness in addressing edge drop-off related roadway departure crashes, simplicity in installation, and low cost. A small investment in training and implementing SafetyEdgeSM has the potential to return great safety benefits.

FHWA brought open houses and demonstration projects to agencies to introduce the purpose and need for the SafetyEdgeSM, the practical solution the SafetyEdgeSM provides, the features and benefits, and to answer questions and discuss the advantages of the SafetyEdgeSM. Visit the Demonstrations webpage to learn about opportunities and resources.

The brochures and flyer below detail how agencies can implement SafetyEdgeSM and answer common questions related to the treatment.

SafetyEdgeSM 101 Brochure. This brochure briefly introduces the concept of SafetyEdgeSM, how it works, FAQs, and a Case Study of Iowa DOT adopting SafetyEdgeSM as standard practice across the State.
	SafetyEdgeSM 201 Brochure. This brochure details the need for SafetyEdgeSM and answers some common questions and queries regarding SafetyEdgeSM and its implementation.
	Steps to Implementing the SafetyEdgeSM . This document provides guidance to agencies on deployment strategies, and developing and initiating an implementation plan according to specific needs.
	Comparison of SafetyEdgeSMto Conventional Paving. This document shows the difference in performance over time when paving with the SafetyEdgeSM compared to conventional paving without the SafetyEdgeSM.
              
      
    
          Last updated: Friday, August 25, 2023 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About
  

        
              About FHWA
                Careers
                Org Chart
                Staff Directories
                Work with UsPrograms
  

        
              Acquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                SafetyPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Accessibility
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web StandardsNews & Events
  

        
              Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Media Contacts
                Connect with Us