Adopted: March 24, 1982
COLLISION OF NORTH AMERICAN VAN LINES
TRACTOR-SEMITRAILER AND FORD VAN
IN CONSTRUCTION Z0NE
OHIO TURNPIKE
NEAR CLEVELAND, OHIO
JULY 22, 1981
NTSB Number: HAR-82/01
NTIS Number: PB82-916201
SYNOPSIS
On July 22, 1981, about 5:50 a.m., a 1978 Ford van occupied by seven persons was traveling eastbound on the Ohio Turnpike in a construction zone near Cleveland, Ohio, where traffic was operating in the eastbound lanes. Shortly after the van entered the construction zone, it drifted into the opposing traffic lane and collided nearly head-on with a GMC tractor-semitrailer traveling westbound. The van driver and five van passengers were killed, and one van passenger was seriously injured. The driver of the tractor-semitrailer received minor injuries.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the failure of the van driver to maintain his vehicle within the proper traffic lane. Contributing to the cause of the accident was the lack of positive separation of opposing traffic in the construction work zone.
RECOMMENDATIONS
As a result of its investigation of this accident, the National Transportation Safety Board made the following recommendations:
to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association and the American Road and Transportation Builders Association:
Develop and adopt voluntary standards similar to those required in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices by the Federal Highway Administration with respect to signing, markings, and separation which will be applicable to the design, construction, and maintenance of highways funded by private revenue but intended for public use. (Class II, Priority Action) (H-82-6)
to the Ohio Turnpike Commission:
Develop and implement an operational policy that will insure-that when the turnpike carries two-way traffic in a construction zone, positive barriers and/or drums, cones, or vertical panels are used to maintain separation of the two-way traffic. If positive barriers or other traffic lane channelization devices are not practical or feasible, use delineation devices, such as raised pavement markers, in conjunction with temporary solid double yellow centerlines to separate two-way traffic. (Class II, Priority Action) (H-82-7)
to the Federal Highway Administration:
Promptly adopt the final rule changing the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices to incorporate the provisions of the “Emergency Final Rule, 23 CFR 630.1010.” (Class II, Priority Action) (H-82-8)
Expedite the proposed research project titled “Development of a LowCost, Low-Maintenance Channelizing Device.” (Class II, Priority Action) (H-82-9)
