Introduction
An emergency escape ramp (EER) also known as an escape lane, is a road construction device that allows a safe stop for vehicles that have lost control of their braking system (Arizona Department of Transportation). Such tools are needed to prevent road accidents and save the lives of drivers, protect the integrity of vehicles, and prevent other people and cars from a collision with malfunctioning transport. In the sphere of road engineering, these ramps have been the subject of debate; therefore, it is paramount to address such standing issues as the location and need for this kind of device.
The Need for an Emergency Escape Ramp
Safety concerns present an obvious reason for the construction of such lanes. EERs are usually constructed in the form of an elevated surface that stops a vehicle through the gradual dissipation of the vehicle’s kinetic energy. However, in Chinese practice, lawsuits involving such ramps being unable to prevent collisions due to a multitude of reasons have put the need for the design of EERs in question (Zhang 1). Pennsylvania Department of Transportation argues that any possible construction may not be able to fully prevent damage to a vehicle, cargo, or person, circumstances may differ (17). The need for EERs is justified by the fact that they help minimize damage and losses that may be incurred. An additional reason to build ramps is to maintain safety in populated areas that are often adjacent to highways. The scale of destruction that a heavy, uncontrolled vehicle can inflict may be significant. Overcommitment in the matter of devising safety lanes, however, should not be justified as too many EERs in one place have been reported to be excessive (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 142).
Emergency Escape Ramp Location
Regarding the appropriate locations for the construction of EERs, engineers tend to propose multiple sites. Several criteria need to be considered during the process of selecting a place for an EER. These include natural location design, length and grade percentage, speed, environmental factors, and road accident statistics (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 142). Capuano et al. name such locations as steep declines, highway junctions, and zones where a sufficient number of accidents have been recorded (1). Siregar et al. also back this assumption and add that complex road geometry contribute to decreasing the safety of the roadway, and therefore, such locations should be marked and equipped with EERs (1). Also, the location might be determined judging from the potential severity of any crash. As for the priority factor for construction, it should be noted that the highest preference should be given to sections that encompass a higher number of factors. As such, a road segment that can be characterized as steep, complex, high-speed, and experiencing a large number of accidents should have a nearby EER available.
Weather conditions present another factor that could influence the location of an EER. Areas with a large annual amount of rainfall or other precipitation are potentially dangerous due to their impact on-road visibility, vehicle control, and other factors that contribute to the risk of accidents.
Conclusion
All things considered, the need for an EER is justified by safety concerns and mitigation of the devastating consequences of an accident involving one or more heavy vehicles. The location for the construction of such ramps is determined by a variety of factors. Priority should be given to places that combine the highest number of risk factors.
Works Cited
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, 2011. 6th ed., American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 2011.
Arizona Department of Transportation. “Transportation Defined: Truck Escape Ramps.” Arizona DOT, 2013. Web.
Capuano, Filippo A. et al. “Alternative Arresting System Design for Truck Escape Ramps.” International Journal of Crashworthiness, 2017, pp. 1-9.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Publication 13M (DM-2). Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, 2011.
Siregar, Martha Leni, et al. “Remedial Safety Treatment of Accident-Prone Locations.” International Journal of Technology, vol. 6, no. 4, 2015, p. 680.
Zhang, Jianjun. “Existing Traffic Safety Problems of Expressways in China.” Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 96, 2013, pp. 130-135.