Unpaved shoulders are an important characteristic of driving environments. They are the small lines between the road and the terrain. Unpaved shoulders provide a safe edge between the road and the pedestrian sidewalk, making them a crucial element in keeping pedestrians safe. Poorly maintained and unpaved shoulders can create a serious hazard for drivers in Tennessee, potentially leading to traffic accidents.

Studies have found that wider paved shoulders can increase crash rates. Furthermore, wider fixed-object offsets can have a mixed effect on safety. This means that, while unpaved shoulders are necessary to provide increased safety, they can also be potentially hazardous if they are not well maintained. It is therefore important to properly maintain and repair unpaved shoulders to maximize safety.

In addition to providing pedestrians with a safe edge to walk on, unpaved shoulders can also provide an important buffer between the road and the environment. This can help reduce damage to the environment from vehicular traffic, as well as provide a protective barrier for wildlife.

Unpaved shoulders are an important part of any driving environment. Proper maintenance and repair is essential to ensure the safety of both drivers and pedestrians. Furthermore, unpaved shoulders help to protect the environment by providing a barrier between the roadway and the environment.