CTRE

Center for Transportation Research and Education

CTRE|Resources to Address Roadway Departures|Chevrons / Oversized Chevrons

Chevrons / Oversized Chevrons

Chevrons provide additional emphasis and guidance for drivers.

Oversized chevrons on US 6 in Johnson County, Iowa.
Oversized chevrons on US 6 in Johnson County, Iowa (Tom Welch, Iowa DOT)

If spaced properly, chevrons can delineate the curve so that drivers can interpret the sharpness of the curve. Crash modification factors (CMFs) from 0.6 to 1.9 have been reported for chevrons and chevrons and advisory signs.

The Center for Transportation Research and Education (CTRE) at Iowa State University is currently conducting a study that is developing CMFs for chevrons in Iowa.

Several agencies, including the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), have applied a larger chevron size than suggested by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

Close-up of a chevron
Close-up of a chevron (Shutterstock)

The idea is that larger chevrons will be more prominent and visible to drivers. These larger chevrons may be particularly useful when sight distance issues exist. However, no studies are available that have studied the effectiveness of oversized chevrons.

More information is provided in this technical brief, Chevrons and Oversized Chevrons, (PDF), which summarizes information about chevrons relevant to Iowa.

Synthesis of Safety-Related Research

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Roadway Departures

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Roadway Departures

Topic Summary

Chevrons/Oversized Chevrons

On-Pavement Signing

Vertical Treatments

Dynamic Speed Feedback Signs

Rumble Strips 

Crash Modification Factors

Rumble Stripes

Paved Shoulders

Safety Edge

General Iowa Resources to Address Lane Departures

References

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