The HSM (2010) describes a countermeasure as a roadway strategy intended to decrease the crash frequency or the severity (or both) at a location. The inventory of countermeasures is generated from the CMF (Crash Modification Factors) Clearinghouse and from WVDOH’s annual list of bid items. The CMF Clearinghouse is a web-based database of CMFs to identify the most appropriate countermeasure for safety needs, supported with documentation. Bid items data include the average unit bid prices for the most current years. This data is available on the Contract Administration public domain website (http://www.transportation.wv.gov/highways/contractadmin/Lettings/Pages/AverageUnitBidPrices. aspx ). The countermeasures are used to address the respective contributing factors.
There are two ways to create a countermeasure: