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Human error is a contributing factor . Understanding why people make these errors can help planners and engineers design safer road systems.

In the "Human Factors Guidelines (HFG) for Road Systems," a team of Ä¢¹½tv human factors experts explores how drivers interact with the roadway environment and provides design guidelines based on empirical studies of driver behavior. Specifically, this 3rd Edition of the HFG presents updated guidelines for integrating human factors principles into the planning, design, construction, and operation of roadway systems and related infrastructure.

This latest version of the publication incorporates recent changes and advances in roadway features, roadside environments, traffic control devices, and traffic operational characteristics. It also includes design principles and guidance to support the needs of vulnerable road users like older drivers, bicyclists, visually impaired pedestrians, and pedestrians with mobility limitations. According to the authors, this publication provides:

• An introduction to the field of human factors as applied to highway design and traffic engineering
• Guidance for more optimal design of highways and traffic control devices
• Information linking human factors data and analysis with related published guidance in other key highway design and traffic engineering reference documents
• Help in solving problems related to road user considerations, including identifying probable human factors causes or countermeasures
• Objective, defensible information that can be used to support and justify design decisions

The HFG provides clear and actionable guidance on a range of topics relevant to geometric design and traffic engineering elements, including sight distance, intersections, curves, grades, roundabouts, rural and urban design environments, signs, markings, and lighting.

The publication does not, however, provide design standards or mandates, nor is it meant to be a comprehensive source for design specifications. It is intended to augment and complement the many primary highway and traffic engineering documents like the , , the , the , and others.

This guide is now available for free download through the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

From the publication: "A more driver-centered approach to highway design and operation will promote continued improvements in highway safety performance."