What is an Escape Ramp?
2 Answers
An escape ramp is a steep slope section set up on long downhill stretches of highways to prevent vehicles from losing control. Here are the specific details about escape ramps: Main Function: An escape ramp is a large net constructed outside the ramp that can catch drivers or vehicle fronts that have gone off course, reducing the accident rate of vehicle destruction and personal injury. Meaning of Ramp: A ramp is a road on the right side of a highway entrance (or exit) (usually 150-200 meters long), serving as an acceleration lane for entering the highway (or a deceleration lane for exiting the highway). Since the minimum speed limit on highways is 70 kilometers per hour, all vehicles must accelerate to at least 60 km/h in this lane before entering the highway lane, and must decelerate to below 60 km/h when exiting the highway.
When I drive through mountainous highways, the runaway truck ramp is a crucial feature. On those long downhill stretches, especially for large trucks, overheated brakes can lead to disasters. It's like an emergency escape ramp, designed steep but covered with sand or gravel, allowing out-of-control vehicles to roll in and naturally slow down to a stop. The choice of such soft materials is to increase friction—cost-effective yet efficient. I remember once seeing someone use it during a trip, averting a potential collision catastrophe. These ramps are marked at regular intervals on national highways, reminding drivers to identify the route environment in advance and not rely solely on luck. Maintenance teams must regularly inspect them to ensure no debris obstructs the path—after all, safety is no trivial matter. I advise new drivers to pay more attention to these safety measures during training; they not only protect you but could also save others' lives.
