EDGE DROP-OFFS

Definition

A pavement edge drop off (a.k.a. pavement edge drop, pavement edge drop-off,
pavement edge drop-off, shoulder drop off, pavement/shoulder drop off, paved surface
drop-off, etc.) is created by a difference in elevation between two surfaces of the roadway.
Typical examples are:
The shoulder is lower than the travel lane. This condition is often created by a
pavement overlay that is applied without an appropriate raising of the shoulder level.
Another example is the unpaved shoulder that becomes significantly rutted or eroded
away often because of the lack of proper maintenance.
Elevation differences between or within paved lanes and shoulders. These are
normally temporary conditions that occur during pavement overlay or
milling operations.
The roadside area is lower than the paved shoulder. This condition is similar to the
others mentioned above except that it exists further from the edge of the travel
lanes.


Causes

Inadequate pavement width.
Shoulder material within adequate resistance to erosion and abrasion.
Re-sheeting of pavement without re-sheeting of shoulder


Solution

Pavement edge drop-offs may occur during highway work such as resurfacing or
shoulder work. When not properly addressed, drop-offs may lead to an errant vehicle losing
control with a high potential for a serious accident.
Desirably, no vertical differential should occur between adjacent lanes or at the edge
of pavement. However, when a vertical differential does occur, mitigating measures should
be taken. The extent of the measures depend upon:
amount of vertical differential;
longitudinal length of differential;
location of differential (centreline, lane line and/or edge of pavement);
duration;
traffic volume and speed;
geometrics; and
Relative location of on-coming traffic.


Prevention

Research has found that loss of vehicle control can develop at speeds greater than 30
mph under certain circumstances. . . . This safety problem is minimized where the pavement
edge drop-off does not exceed 3 inches in height or the face has a 45-degree slope. Drop-
offs immediately adjacent to traffic are not recommended to be left overnight if they are
higher than 3 inches (vertical face) or 4.5 inches (45-degree face). To mitigate the
pavement drop-off, depending on site specific conditions, one or a combination of the
following mitigating measures is recommended:
Specify that no vertical drop-off greater than 3 inches in height, or 4.5 inches with a
45-degree or flatter slope, is to be left unprotected overnight.
Place a wedge of material along the face of the drop-off. The wedge should consist
of stable material placed at a 45-degree or flatter slope. Warning signs should be
placed in advance and throughout the treatment. Pavement markings are useful in
delineating the edge of the travel lane.
Place channelizing devices along the traffic side of the hazard and maintain, if
practical, a 3-foot wide buffer between the edge of the travel lane and the drop-off.
Warning signs should be placed in advance and throughout the treatment.
Install portable concrete barriers or other acceptable positive barriers with a buffer
between the barrier face and the travelled way.