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Rural roads play a vital role in North America’s transportation system, connecting remote areas and supporting key industries like agriculture, forestry and mining. However, many people wonder, “Why are rural roads so dangerous?” While these roads carry less traffic, they are actually more dangerous than urban roads, leading to a higher number of serious accidents and fatalities. In 2022, there were 17,283 motor vehicle traffic fatalities on rural roads in the United States, and the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles travelled was 1.5 times higher in rural areas than in urban areas. At North America Traffic, we work to address these safety challenges with innovative traffic management solutions like portable traffic signals and Automated Flagger Assistance Devices (AFADs). In this blog, we’ll discuss the hazards of rural roads, share safety improvement strategies, and highlight how our products are designed to meet the unique needs of rural construction and maintenance projects.

 

Understanding the Risks of Rural Roads

 

Rural roads come with a range of challenges that make them more dangerous than they might seem at first. Some key factors that contribute to these risks include:

 

·      Narrow Lanes and Poor Design: Many rural roads were built years ago when there were fewer cars on the road and lower traffic volumes. As a result, sharp curves, narrow lanes, and limited shoulders are common. These features make the roads more challenging for today’s larger and faster vehicles.

·      Delayed Maintenance and Emergency Response: In rural areas, budget constraints often result in delayed road maintenance. This leads to common hazards like potholes, eroded shoulders, and faded signs, which are especially dangerous for drivers unfamiliar with the area. Gravel shoulders, seasonal weather conditions, like snow, ice, and heavy rain, as well as hidden driveways only add to the risks. However, it’s not just road maintenance that faces delays–emergency response times are often slower too. Because these areas are so remote, it can take longer for first responders to reach an accident, which can make a life-or-death difference in serious situations.

·      Lack of Traffic Control Systems: Many rural intersections don’t have traffic signals and rely on stop or yield signs instead. In construction zones, the lack of effective traffic control can confuse drivers and increase the risk of collisions. Temporary measures like stop/slow paddles often aren’t enough, especially in high-speed areas.

·      Reduced Visibility and Slow-Moving Vehicles: Unlike city boulevards, which are commonly adorned with streetlights and reflective markers, rural roads lack proper lighting and clear signs. Overgrown vegetation can block sightlines, making it harder for drivers to see curves, intersections, or unexpected hazards like wildlife. This creates major visibility challenges, especially at night or during bad weather. Additionally, slow-moving vehicles like agricultural equipment can create unexpected dangers for drivers.

·      Risky Driver Behaviour: Drivers frequently underestimate the risks of rural roads, which can lead to behaviours like speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), seat belt use is also lower in rural areas, which can make injuries and crashes more severe.

  

Increasing Safety with NAT’s Portable Traffic Signals and AFADs

 

North America Traffic’s portable traffic signals and AFADs are designed to tackle the unique challenges of rural road construction zones. Here’s how they help create safer work environments.

 

Portable Traffic Signals

 

Our portable traffic signals offer a reliable and flexible solution for managing traffic in construction zones, intersections and cross roads. Key benefits include:

·      Enhanced visibility: Bright LED signals make it easy for drivers to see traffic instructions, even in low-light or bad weather conditions.  

·      Flexible Deployment: These signals are easy to set up and move, making them perfect for temporary or mobile construction projects.  

·      Solar-Powered Operation: They can run independently of electrical grids, ensuring reliability in remote areas.  

 

Explore our line of portable traffic signals for detailed specifications.

 

Automated Flagger Assistance Devices (AFADs)

 

Our AFADs are designed to replace manual flagging in all short term flagging situations. Developed by North America Traffic over 30 years ago, the RCF 2.4 Automated Flagger Assistance Device is still considered the safest alternative to human flaggers for temporary, short-term work-zone traffic control. Some of the key benefits include:

 

·      Worker Safety: By automating flagging tasks, AFADs keep workers out of harm’s way.

·      Driver Compliance: Clear, consistent signals from these automated flaggers reduce driver confusion and improve compliance with traffic patterns.

·      Ease of Use: These devices are simple to set up and operate, even in remote locations.

 

Learn more about our AFADs.

 

4 Strategies for Improving Rural Road Safety

 

Improving safety on rural roads requires a multi-faceted approach, blending infrastructure upgrades, education and advanced traffic management technologies.

 

1.     Infrastructure Upgrades

 

·      Widen Lanes and Shoulders: Accommodate modern traffic to reduce risks.

·      Install Reflective Markers and Rumble Strips: Enhance visibility and alert drivers drifting off-course.

·      Upgrade Signage: Use high-visibility, reflective signs for safer navigation, especially at night.

 

2.     Education and Awareness

 

·      Public Campaigns: Highlight rural road hazards and safe driving practices.

·      Work Zone Safety Programs: Stress slowing down and following traffic control measures in construction zones.

 

3.     Leveraging Advanced Traffic Control

 

Modern traffic management technologies are revolutionizing safety for drivers and construction crews.

·      Portable Traffic Signals and AFADs: Devices like the PTL2.4x and RCF2.4 improve traffic flow and worker safety in construction zones.

·      Solar-Powered Systems: Ideal for rural areas, these solutions operate continuously while reducing environmental impact.

·      Real-Time Monitoring: Systems with sensors provide feedback for traffic adjustments, enhancing safety and efficiency.

  

4.     Best Practices for Implementation

 

·      Conduct Risk Assessments: Identify site-specific hazards to select appropriate control measures.

·      Ensure Visibility: Properly place signs, cones and barriers to guide traffic in low-light or adverse conditions.

·      Train Crews: Equip teams to use traffic control devices like AFADs and Portable Traffic Signals effectively. NAT offers free training on all of our traffic control solutions.  Reach out to us today to learn more.

·      Collaborate Locally: Partner with authorities to align safety efforts and raise public awareness.

 

Partnering for Safer Rural Roads

 

At North America Traffic, our traffic management solutions are designed to tackle the challenges of rural roadways. From Portable Traffic Signals to AFADs, we help protect workers and drivers alike. Contact us today to explore our solutions and make rural roads safer for everyone.