Anyone that has ever driven on Interstate 285 around Atlanta knows what a nerve-wracking experience it can be. The “Atlanta Bypass” usually sees some of the worst traffic conditions and worst accidents in the metro area. One particular section of I-285 is particularly troublesome; the I-285 southbound ramp to Interstate 20 eastbound in DeKalb County.
Longtime commuters can probably recall the huge number of over-turned tractor trailer crashes that have occurred at this interchange. In the past year we’ve seen trucks hauling beer, eggs and auto parts tip over on this ramp causing major messes and extra traffic delays.
My colleague Jodie Fleischer, an investigative reporter for WSBTV, decided to look into why the ramp is home to so many tractor trailer crashes in a very interesting piece last week.
Fleisher found out that at least 25,000 drivers use the ramp every day but it isn’t the high traffic volume that causes the crashes, but perhaps a design flaw. She contacted engineer Herman Hill who worked for the Georgia Department of Transportation for 15 years and is now a road engineering consultant.
Hill found two issues with the transition. The first is a long straightaway that leads to the sharp transition ramp. The speed limit on the ramp is 35 MPH but people typically drive faster on the straightaway not realizing a large curve is awaiting them.
“The priority there is to get that message to the people approaching a half a mile away here that we’ve got a problem ahead,” Hill said.
The view of the curve is also blocked by trees, which makes it more difficult for drivers to see what is in front of them.
Because of this issue, the DOT plans to install six signs indicating a truck tip-over danger zone approaching the troublesome ramp to alert truck drivers earlier and more often to slow down their big rigs.
The second issue can be called an optical illusion.
There is one lane of highway to the driver’s right that goes straight. If the driver can’t see the curve, they might think the straight lane is theirs.
“Your driver expectancy can be that I’m going straight ahead,” Hill said.
Natalie Dale of the DOT agreed.
“There’s a bit of an optical illusion when you’re taking that straightaway into that ramp where if you don’t notice the curve coming, and you’re looking straight ahead it looks as if the road continues,” Dale said.
To help with the illusion the DOT plans on installing reflective panels on the wall that separates the ramp lane with the through lane to help drivers differentiate between the two.
“We really hope that will be another step we can take in increasing safety here,” Dale said.
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