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
                        Low-Cost Treatments for Horizontal Curve Safety 2016


            
            In This Section
        Roadway Departure Safety
                Strategic Approach
                                Strategic Plan
                Crash Emphasis Brochures
                Focused Approach
                Noteworthy Practices
                Partner Resources
                Keep Vehicles on the Road
                                Pavement Friction
                Horizontal Curve Safety
                Rumble Strips and Rumble Stripes
                Nighttime Visibility
                Provide for a Safe Recovery
                                SafetyEdge
                Clear Zones
                Reduce Crash Severity
                                Overview
                Hardware Eligibility Letters
                Focus on Reducing Rural Roadway Departures (FoRRRwD)
                                Overview
                All Public Roads
                Proven Countermeasures
                Systemic Approach
                Safety Action Plans
                FoRRRwD Resources
                
                Appendix F: Application of High Friction Surface Treatment in Kentucky
Appendix F: Application of High Friction Surface Treatment in Kentucky

BACKGROUND

Between 2004 and 2008, more than 60 percent of all fatal crashes on Kentucky's roads were roadway departure crashes. In an effort to address this, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), developed the *2009 Kentucky Roadway Departure Safety Implementation Plan,* which established a strategic approach to reducing the number of roadway departure crashes on State roads. This statewide program is funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program. As of summer 2014, KYTC has applied High Friction Surface Treatments (HFSTs) at more than 100 sites—many at locations that present multiple risk factors, such as multiple curves.

PROGRAM DETAILS

As part of the Roadway Departure Safety Implementation Plan, KYTC applied HFST to a number of state-maintained curves and ramps. HFSTs are a thin layer of specially engineered, durable, high friction aggregates placed as a topping on a polymer binder. These aggregate systems have long-lasting skid resistance and make the overlay more resistant to wear and polishing. Additional details are available at EDC 2012 Initiatives – High Friction Surface Treatment.

KYTC initially used a "black spot" approach to select treatment sites—selecting sites that had experienced the highest number of overall crashes. After this initial effort, KYTC continued to identify additional locations in need of improvement. KYTC regularly performs a screening prioritization, which scans the entire roadway network to identify wet-road crashes for additional candidates for HFST. After the site evaluation, pavement condition is examined for HFST application feasibility.

Close-up photograph of the processing part of a truck that is applying HFST to a curve.

***Figure F-1. Photo. A truck in the process of applying HFST to a curve.***

In 2014, Kentucky updated the *Roadway Departure Safety Implementation Plan* and now uses a *Highway Safety Manual* (*HSM*) methodology to identify roadway segments and ramps as candidates for surface treatment. KYTC develops Safety Performance Functions and uses an empirical Bayes method to help identify curves/ramps that are candidates for surface treatment. More information is available at Introduction of Safety Performance Functions.

RESULTS

Almost immediate positive impacts were experienced at the 30 initial sites KYTC applied HFST. And multiple sources provided positive feedback on the program, including drivers, governing agencies, and policy makers. Data have shown a 70- to 75-percent reduction in crashes at the treated sites. Due to this success, several local agencies have expressed interest in implementing HFSTs.

One site in Fayette County–Exit 113 on Interstate 75–is illustrative of this success. In the 3 years prior to HFST treatment, the ramp had 28 roadway departure crashes (18 wet crashes and 10 dry crashes). In the two and half years since the HFST installation, crashes have nearly been eliminated and the ramp has been the scene of a single crash, which was a dry crash. Ramp signage was also updated at the same time as the HFST installation.

CONSIDERATIONS

KYTC did not have outside guidance when it first began applying HFSTs due the relative newness of the treatment. Despite this, KYTC was able to apply numerous surface treatments in a short amount of time. KYTC staff suggests that other agencies should take the time to complete a thorough evaluation of each site when considering HFSTs. Also, agencies should implement a hierarchy of countermeasures, such as:

Consider repaving.
	Apply alternative surface treatment.
	Consider other non-pavement treatments.
	Apply high friction surface treatment, if necessary.KYTC is pleased with the program and will continue to address the safety of curves and ramps with the *HSM* methodology. The application of HFST successfully decreased roadway departures and consequently, serious injuries and fatalities in Kentucky. With the help of Kentucky's leadership in the Roadway Departure Safety Plan, HFSTs are growing in popularity across the nation.

Photograph of a rural, two-lane roadway with a horizontal curve. A darker layer of pavement is present within the curve, between the centerline and edgeline, which is the application of the HFST.

***Figure F-2. Photo. A horizontal curve with HFST.***

CONTACT INFORMATION

Tracy Lovell from the KYTC provided the information for this case study. Visit http://transportation.ky.gov/ for more information. All images are courtesy of the KYTC.
      
  Book traversal links for Appendix F: Application of High Friction Surface Treatment in Kentucky
      ‹ APPENDIX E: Application Of Sequential Dynamic Curve Warning Systems (SDCWS)
                    Up
                    Appendix G: Every Day Counts – High Friction Surface Treatments ›
                
                Book:Low-Cost Treatments for Horizontal Curve Safety 2016
              CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
                CHAPTER 2. THE TWO COMPONENTS OF SAFETY IMPROVEMENT: SITE ANALYIS AND THE SYSTEMIC APPROACH
                CHAPTER 3. MARKINGS
                CHAPTER 4. SIGNS
                CHAPTER 5. PAVEMENT COUNTERMEASURES
                CHAPTER 6. ROADSIDE IMPROVEMENTS
                CHAPTER 7. ADDRESSING INTERSECTIONS IN CURVES
                REFERENCES
                Glossary
                Appendix A: Low-Cost Safety Improvements in Pennsylvania
                Appendix B: Systemic Improvements in Minnesota
                Appendix C: Application of Edge Lines in Missouri
                Appendix D: Upgrading Curve Signing in Ohio
                APPENDIX E: Application Of Sequential Dynamic Curve Warning Systems (SDCWS)
                Appendix F: Application of High Friction Surface Treatment in Kentucky
                Appendix G: Every Day Counts – High Friction Surface Treatments
                Appendix H: Utility Pole Management in New Jersey
                ACRONYMS 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