¥Designing for
prevailing conditions is critical. There
is a definite symbiotic relationship between the publicÕs
consensus as to what is reasonable and prudent (85-90th percentile of
free-flowing traffic - safest speed) and ensuring that all traffic control
devices are set to safely manage the trafficÕs
requirements, as found, for that particular location.
"
¥The traffic engineering study
quantifies this publicsÕ safe for conditions consensus
and becomes the critical design guidance for all traffic control
decisions. This is a Title 23 Federal Code of
Regulations statutory minimum requirement, applying only approved nationally accepted
practices and all actions and the engineerÕs rationale for the solution applied and
findings shall be documented.
¥
¥In all studies, designing for prevailing conditions has been shown to be the most effective practice in reducing accident rates.