Road & Transportation Safety Center

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) operates 18,600 lane miles of state highways. Maintaining quality signage throughout the state is a key part of ensuring that the motoring public travels safely and efficiently.

Over the years, vehicles have evolved, modes of transportation have diversified, and the needs of road users have become more varied. To keep up with the shifting requirements of the people navigating our roads, traffic sign manufacturers and Department of Transportation (DOT) sign shops have adapted their processes to be more flexible and efficient.

In rainy, nighttime conditions, the pavement markings that define lanes can become difficult to see. Learn how pavement marking visibility plays a major role in helping drivers navigate, stay in their lanes, and get home safely.

Help reduce traffic accidents at intersections by using traffic signal backplates with retroreflective borders. Highly visible traffic lights can alert distracted drivers.

To help increase road safety, consider putting your roads on a diet. A road diet reduces lanes of traffic to improve efficiency and help make roads safer for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Roundabouts reduce the number of conflict points at intersections, which lowers the number of traffic accidents. Choose the right road signs and pavement markings for roundabouts.

Horizontal curves have higher crash rates than other highway segments. Learn how improving visibility on horizontal curves can improve driver safety.

Modern low-beam headlights direct more light at the road, resulting in less light bouncing off road signs. Full-cube Type XI sign sheeting — a more efficient retroreflective sign sheeting — reflects more light to keep drivers safer at night.

How to create safer road work zones for workers, drivers and pedestrians.

This is how having front and back license plates makes a difference to public safety, law enforcement apprehension and state revenues

Bringing together standards and science for consistent, visible traffic control devices.

To enhance roadway safety for human drivers, vehicles equipped with ADAS, and the driverless vehicles of the future, it’s important to understand how these vehicles will perceive and interpret their surroundings.

Learn more about reducing traffic crashes through awareness, behavior and infrastructure.

Learn how reflective tape can help protect your bottom line

Learn more about the safety and effectiveness of roundabouts.

Discover questions to ask yourself, the sign printer manufacturer, the ink supplier, the protective overlay manufacturer, and more.

Learn about the shocking statistics of elderly drivers and see how you can help keep them safe.

Learn about the science behind aging eyes and the impact it could have on road safety.

From identification to personal expression, learn about the increase in vanity license plates.

Reflective sheeting performance graphics may be misleading. Learn what to watch for.

Learn about the FAST Act, its safety-related changes and what FAST Act funds can be used for.

Learn about black spots and ideal technologies for ensuring maximum reflectivity on dark roads.

Learn about the science of pavement marking bead technology and why it matters in wet or dry conditions.

Healthy communities watch out for one another and enjoy using byways safely and responsibly.

Learn how signage, barricades and pavement markings keep you safe in temporary traffic control work zones.

The 2016 Traffic Safety Culture Index examines U.S. drivers’ attitudes and behaviors on distracted driving, impaired and drowsy driving and aggressive driving.

Here are 3 trends which impact road signs & traffic safety.

An intro to the science & technology of traffic signs & how it impacts road safety.

Find out about the physics of retroreflectivity, why luminance is an important performance measurement for signs, how angularity affects sign visibility, and what defines ASTM sheeting types.

Studies show that upgrading to ASTM D4956 Type XI – compliant sheeting can help reduce crashes and has a positive cost-to-benefit ratio.