Research Project:

Development of a Comprehensive Framework for Managing Decisions Regarding Highway Bypasses

Principal Investigator

David J. Plazak
Iowa State University
515-294-8103
dplazak@iastate.edu

Project Objectives

Identify the circumstances in which highway bypasses are likely and unlikely to have significant impacts on communities and local economies
Identify how communities can address these impacts
Identify the net safety impacts of completed bypass projects

Project Abstract

Highway bypasses allow through traffic to travel around communities with minimal time delays. Since 1964, Iowa has constructed bypasses to divert traffic around almost 50 cities and towns, but more recently, has reversed course. The reversal is driven primarily by concerns of both citizens and businesspersons that they will draw business out of town - despite research indicating that bypasses appear to have much less impact on communities than is generally feared. Even though considerable research has been done on the economic impacts of bypasses, there is a surprising lack of research on the safety impacts. This project is intended to fill the gaps in the research literature and will result in a comprehensive assessment of bypass impacts and a policy framework regarding when it is prudent to bypass.

Task Descriptions

Organize technical advisory committee
Literature review
Select six to eight bypasses in Iowa for case study
Conduct detailed analysis of case studies
Compare results to impacts forecast in project planning documents
Describe characteristics of bypasses that successfully met planning expectations
Prepare decision framework
Prepare a final report and results brief

Project Period

March 2007 –December 2007

Potential Benefits of the Project

A framework for evaluating safety and economic impacts of bypass proposals.

Budget

$80,000: $40,000 MTC / $40,000 Match

TRB Keywords

Rural Highway Policy, Bypass, Safety, Economic Impact, Community Planning