Layout of Rest Areas and Their Infrastructure Development in the South-Eastern Region of Lithuania

Abstract

The quality of rest areas is important to every driver and passenger for as much as safety, convenience and functionality need to be ensured. Most often fatigue and lack of sleep become the main reasons of painful accidents; thus, an efficient layout of rest areas encourages drivers to take a rest from intensive driving. National normative documents enforcing the layout of rest areas in Lithuania have been analysed and expertise of foreign countries has been examined in order to understand the planning principles of rest areas in Lithuania and to identify the key problems. Analysis of the existing situation of rest areas in the south-eastern region of Lithuania has been made for the purposes of using adequate methods leading to the increased efficiency of the layout of rest zones. Moreover, a multiple criteria assessment method along with expert opinion compatibility assessment has been used to identify the quality criteria for the selection of rest areas. Upon resolving the optimisation method coverage task, the demand of rest areas and their arrangement principles on the roads in question have been identified. Optimal layout of rest areas has been proposed relying on the worldwide experience and provisions of normative documents and guidelines.