What is escape road?

An escape road, also known as a runaway truck ramp, emergency escape ramp, or arrester bed, is a safety device designed to stop vehicles that have experienced brake failure on steep downgrades. They are typically located adjacent to the main roadway.

The primary function of an escape road is to provide a safe place for drivers of out-of-control vehicles to slow down and stop, preventing potentially catastrophic accidents. Escape roads typically use a long bed of loose gravel or sand to create rolling resistance which gradually slows the vehicle. Other types use mechanical arrester systems like nets or hydraulic energy absorbers.

Key features of an escape road include:

• Location: Usually placed after a long or steep downhill section of road where brake failures are likely.
• Warning signs: Clearly marked with signs to alert drivers to their presence.
• Construction: Built with materials that provide high rolling resistance, such as deep gravel or sand. Modern implementations can utilize engineered materials.
• Angle of Entry: Typically designed with an upward slope to aid in deceleration.

Different types of escape roads exist:

• Gravel Beds: The most common type, using a deep bed of loose gravel or sand.
• Concrete Arrester Beds: Utilizing specially formulated lightweight concrete to provide controlled deceleration.
• Mechanical Arresters: Employing nets or other mechanical devices to stop vehicles.

Important aspects of escape roads:

• Safety: They significantly reduce the risk of accidents caused by brake failure.
• Effectiveness: They can stop vehicles of varying sizes and weights.
• Maintenance: They require regular maintenance to ensure proper functionality, especially gravel beds which may become compacted or contaminated.

Escape roads are a vital part of highway safety infrastructure in mountainous or hilly areas. They are also called Truck%20Escape%20Ramps or Runaway%20Truck%20Ramps