Survey reports number of deficient rural roads

TRIP, a national nonprofit transportation research group, released a report titled “Rural Connections: Challenges and Opportunities in America’s Heartland” that cites any deficiencies or safety issues with rural roads and bridges in the United States. According to the report, rural roads and bridges in the U.S. have significant deficiencies. The chart pictured (click chart to enlarge) shows states with the highest rate of rural pavements in poor condition, states with the highest share of structurally deficient rural bridges and states with the highest fatality rates on rural roads.

In 2013, 15 percent of the nation’s major rural roads were rated in poor condition and another 39 percent were rated in mediocre or fair condition. In 2014, 11 percent of the nation’s rural bridges were rated as structurally deficient and 10 percent were functionally obsolete.

Additionally, TRIP reports rural traffic fatality rates remained high, while there was a substantial decrease in overall traffic fatalities. In 2013, non-Interstate rural roads had a traffic fatality rate of about two deaths for every 100 million miles of travel compared to a fatality rate of less than one death per 100 million miles of travel.

Based on report findings, TRIP recommends that the U.S. modernize and extend some of its major rural routes to improve road safety. More details on this survey can be viewed online.

Chart: TRIP