Treatments to Reduce the Frequency of Freeway Exit Sign Hits (0-6120-1)

Exit gore signs present a significant maintenance challenge for TxDOT. There is concern regarding the safety of personnel working in gore areas to replace these signs, and the resources necessary for continual maintenance. The objective of this project was to identify and evaluate alternative methods that may reduce the number of sign hits. Researchers visited several sites with safety problems related to frequent sign hits, determined factors that contribute to sign crashes, and recommended potential treatments. They also evaluated the impact of eliminating exit gore signs at locations where appropriate advance warning with overhead exit signs are provided. Field studies were conducted at two freeway exits in Corpus Christi, Texas. It was found that the lack of exit gore signs at the two freeway exits did not have any negative consequences in terms of vehicle speeds, deceleration behavior, and erratic maneuvers.