An Application of Spatially Based Crash Analyses and Road Safety Investigations to Increase Older Driver Safety

An Application of Spatially Based Crash Analyses and Road Safety Investigations to Increase Older Driver Safety PDF Author: Deanna A. Peabody
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Older automobile drivers
Languages : en
Pages : 132

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Book Description
Arguably the greatest issue facing the transportation profession is the ability to provide social equity with regards to both safety and mobility given the aging population. Given the overall dominance of the automobile within the transportation system, the ability to provide feasible alternatives is daunting. This fact, when coupled with the well-documented challenges of older drivers, underscores the need for improved safety features and system-wide safety approaches with a focus on the older driver. This paper describes an application of spatial crash analysis and road safety investigations that were employed in Massachusetts with a direct focus on the older driver. Specifically, the paper outlines an approach for identifying high crash locations for older drivers and presents the results of older driver focused road safety investigations for selected locations. The research approach targets both intersections and roadway segments identifying locations where older drivers are overrepresented in crashes. The road safety investigations resulted in recommended countermeasures aimed at mitigating the older driver crash problem at the identified locations. Although the resulting countermeasures, which were based upon established literature such as the Older Driver Design Handbook, included a full spectrum of recommendations, a specific emphasis was placed upon short-term and low cost measures that could be readily employed. Techniques to identify relationships between high crash location identification methods and the recommended countermeasures for the identified locations are considered. Ultimately the application of these techniques may provide transportation professionals with a means to associate specific older driver focused countermeasures with the results of particular methods of high crash location identification.

An Application of Spatially Based Crash Analyses and Road Safety Investigations to Increase Older Driver Safety

An Application of Spatially Based Crash Analyses and Road Safety Investigations to Increase Older Driver Safety PDF Author: Deanna A. Peabody
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Older automobile drivers
Languages : en
Pages : 132

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Book Description
Arguably the greatest issue facing the transportation profession is the ability to provide social equity with regards to both safety and mobility given the aging population. Given the overall dominance of the automobile within the transportation system, the ability to provide feasible alternatives is daunting. This fact, when coupled with the well-documented challenges of older drivers, underscores the need for improved safety features and system-wide safety approaches with a focus on the older driver. This paper describes an application of spatial crash analysis and road safety investigations that were employed in Massachusetts with a direct focus on the older driver. Specifically, the paper outlines an approach for identifying high crash locations for older drivers and presents the results of older driver focused road safety investigations for selected locations. The research approach targets both intersections and roadway segments identifying locations where older drivers are overrepresented in crashes. The road safety investigations resulted in recommended countermeasures aimed at mitigating the older driver crash problem at the identified locations. Although the resulting countermeasures, which were based upon established literature such as the Older Driver Design Handbook, included a full spectrum of recommendations, a specific emphasis was placed upon short-term and low cost measures that could be readily employed. Techniques to identify relationships between high crash location identification methods and the recommended countermeasures for the identified locations are considered. Ultimately the application of these techniques may provide transportation professionals with a means to associate specific older driver focused countermeasures with the results of particular methods of high crash location identification.

Crash Analysis and Road User Survey to Identify Issues and Countermeasures for Older Drivers in Kansas

Crash Analysis and Road User Survey to Identify Issues and Countermeasures for Older Drivers in Kansas PDF Author: Koththigoda Kankanamge Sameera Chathuranga
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The percentage of the U.S. population aged 65 years or older is increasing rapidly. Statistics also show this age group was 14.9 percent of the population in 2015 and is expected to be 20.7 to 21.4 percent for the years 2030-2050. Kansas has similar statewide trends with its aging population. Therefore, identifying issues, concerns, and factors associated with severity of older-driver crashes in Kansas is necessary. The Kansas Crash Analysis and Reporting System (KCARS) database maintained by Kansas Department of Transportation was used in this study to identify older-driver crash characteristics, compare older drivers with all drivers, and develop crash severity models. According to KCARS data, older drivers were involved in more than one in five fatal injuries out of all drivers in Kansas from 2010 to 2014. When compared with all drivers, older drivers were overly represented in fatal and incapacitating injuries. The percentage of older-driver fatal injuries was more than the twice that of all drivers. When compared with all drivers, older drivers were involved more often in crashes at four-way intersections, on straight and level roads, in daylight hours, and at a stop or yield signs. An in-depth crash severity analysis was carried out for the older drivers involved in crashes. Three separate binary logistic regression models were developed for single-vehicle crashes where only the older driver was present (Model A), single-vehicle crashes involving an older driver with at least one passenger (Model B), and multi-vehicle crashes involving at least one older driver (Model C). From the crash severity analysis, it was found that left turns were significant in changing the crash severity for Model A, but it was not significant in model B, meaning that older drivers may be safer with passengers. For Model B, none of the passenger attributes were significant, though it was originally developed to identify passenger attributes. Gender of the older driver was not significant in any model. For all models, variables such as safety equipment use, crash location, weather conditions, driver ejected or trapped, and light conditions distinguished crash severity. Furthermore, for Model A, variables such as day of the week, speed, accident class, and maneuver, distinguished crash severity. Moreover, accident class, surface type, and vehicle type changed crash severity in Model B. Number of vehicles, speed, collision type, maneuver, and two-lane roads were significant in Model C.A road-user survey was also conducted to identify habits, needs, and concerns of Kansas' aging road users since it was not advisable to conclude safety factors solely on crash data. The probability of occurrence was calculated by taking the weighted average of answers to a question. Then a contingency table analysis was carried out to identify relationships among variables. For older drivers, seatbelt use as a driver had the highest probability of occurrence. Driving in heavy traffic, merging into traffic, moving away from traffic, and judging gaps were dependent on age group. Findings of this research gave an understanding of older-driver crashes and associated factors. Since more than 85 percent of crash contributory causes were related to drivers, driver awareness programs, driver licensing restrictions, providing public transportation, and law enforcement can be used as countermeasures. Accordingly, results of this study can be used to enhance older-driver safety and awareness programs.

Spatial Analysis Methods of Road Traffic Collisions

Spatial Analysis Methods of Road Traffic Collisions PDF Author: Becky P. Y. Loo
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1498766528
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 287

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Book Description
Examine the Prevalence and Geography of Road CollisionsSpatial Analysis Methods of Road Traffic Collisions centers on the geographical nature of road crashes, and uses spatial methods to provide a greater understanding of the patterns and processes that cause them. Written by internationally known experts in the field of transport geography, the bo

Crash Risks and Safety Issues Among Older Drivers

Crash Risks and Safety Issues Among Older Drivers PDF Author: William E. Madsen
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781612093482
Category : Older automobile drivers
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This book examines driver, vehicle, roadway and environmental characteristics associated with increased crash involvement by older drivers. Project activities were designed to prioritise the situations causing problems for older drivers based on the magnitude of the crash problem, older driver's degree of over-representation, the likelihood of serious injury, or other criteria of interest. The resulting list of the most problematic situations frame further discussions of how age-related functional decline can mediate increased crash risk for older drivers, and hopefully, point to potential countermeasures for lowering this risk.

Spatial Scale of Clustering of Motor Vehicle Crash Types and Appropriate Countermeasures

Spatial Scale of Clustering of Motor Vehicle Crash Types and Appropriate Countermeasures PDF Author: Tim Strauss
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Geographic information systems
Languages : en
Pages : 70

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Book Description
This project analyzes the characteristics and spatial distributions of motor vehicle crash types in order to evaluate the degree and scale of their spatial clustering. Crashes occur as the result of a variety of vehicle, roadway, and human factors and thus vary in their clustering behavior. Clustering can occur at a variety of scales, from the intersection level, to the corridor level, to the area level. Conversely, other crash types are less linked to geographic factors and are more spatially "random." The degree and scale of clustering have implications for the use of strategies to promote transportation safety. In this project, Iowa's crash database, geographic information systems, and recent advances in spatial statistics methodologies and software tools were used to analyze the degree and spatial scale of clustering for several crash types within the counties of the Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments. A statistical measure called the K function was used to analyze the clustering behavior of crashes. Several methodological issues, related to the application of this spatial statistical technique in the context of motor vehicle crashes on a road network, were identified and addressed. These methods facilitated the identification of crash clusters at appropriate scales of analysis for each crash type. This clustering information is useful for improving transportation safety through focused countermeasures directly linked to crash causes and the spatial extent of identified problem locations, as well as through the identification of less location-based crash types better suited to non-spatial countermeasures. The results of the K function analysis point to the usefulness of the procedure in identifying the degree and scale at which crashes cluster, or do not cluster, relative to each other. Moreover, for many individual crash types, different patterns and processes and potentially different countermeasures appeared at different scales of analysis. This finding highlights the importance of scale consideration in problem identification and countermeasure formulation.

Analysis of Risk Factors Associated with Fatal Intersection Crashes Involving Older Drivers in the Midwest

Analysis of Risk Factors Associated with Fatal Intersection Crashes Involving Older Drivers in the Midwest PDF Author: Abdulaziz Hebni Alshehri
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Motor vehicles are the primary source of transportation in the United States. While this is true for any age group, the older population tend to rely more heavily on automobiles because of easy access and availability, compared to public transportation even when it is available. Older drivers aged 65 years and older are more vulnerable to fatal crashes due to cognitive impairments and frailty. When older drivers are involved in crashes, they sustain higher injury severities compared to younger drivers. One location where older driver experience higher crash risk is intersection, due to the complexity of the situation involving multiple tasks and movements. The objectives of this study were to determine risk factors associated with intersection-related crashes involving older drivers in the Midwestern states and to provide countermeasure ideas to improve safety. Five-year fatal crash data from 2014 to 2018 from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) database were utilized, and statistical analysis was carried out to identify characteristics of fatal crashes involving older drivers and risk factors associated with intersection crashes among this age group. Three separate binary logistic regression models were developed to identify statistically significant predictor variables. First model represents older drivers who are involved in fatal single-vehicle crashes. Second model represents fatal multi-vehicle crashes involving at least one older driver, whereas the third model represents fatal single-vehicle crashes involving drivers younger than 65 years for comparison purposes. The dependent variable is whether a fatal crash occurs at an intersection location or not. Many independent variables that include various crash, driver, vehicle, and environmental factors were considered. By considering a 95 percent confidence level, odds ratios were estimated and used to identify relative risk factors of fatal intersection crashes. Analysis showed that controlled intersections, two-way undivided highways, and roads with posted speed limits less than 55 mph increased the risk of fatal single-vehicle and multi-vehicle crashes for older drivers. Fatal single-vehicle crashes were especially prevalent for these drivers. Factors such as urban roadways, driver age older than 75 years, nighttime driving, and speeding increased the risk of single-vehicle fatal intersection crashes, while turning movements and intersecting paths, straight and level roadways, two-lanes highway, and violation of roadway rules increased the risk of multi-vehicle fatal intersection crashes for older drivers. Single-vehicle fatal intersection crash analysis also showed that controlled intersections, two-way undivided highways, roads with posted speed limits less than 55 mph, urban roadways, speeding, nighttime driving, and fixed objects increased the risk of intersection-related fatal single-vehicle crashes, especially for older drivers. However, factors such as straight and level roadways, impaired driving, driver obesity, and the operation of recreation vehicles, buses, or motorcycles increased the risk of single-vehicle fatal intersection crashes for drivers in other age categories. Based on model results, countermeasure ideas to improve the safety of older drivers at intersections as well as other road users were identified. Among suggested ideas, improving intersections designs to accommodate older driver needs is recommended, such as implementing roundabouts when it is appropriate, reach minimum of 75-degree skew angel at intersection, providing protected left turn signals, flashing yellow arrow, restricted crossing U-turn, median U-turn, using rumble stripes along the side of roadway and median, providing transverse rumble strips (TRS) at intersections, improving roadway lighting, signs and markings at intersections and interchanges, implementing roadway diet, enhancing roadway signs and retroreflective delineation, providing cable, guardrail, or concrete barriers, implementing continuous raised-curb medians, enhancing lane drop marking on interchanges, providing acceleration and deceleration lane for merging and diverging locations, providing fixed or portable changeable message signs, enhancing high friction surface treatments on risk prone locations, increasing contrast markings on concrete pavement. Beside the engineering countermeasures, using newer vehicles that equipped with many safety features is advisable to enhance older and other drivers' safety. In addition, older driver license renewal may be modified to be required yearly to overcome early signs of fatigue or cognitive decline to reduce fatal crash risks and enhance safety. Therefore, the results and suggested countermeasures can provide guidance to improve safety of older drivers and other road users.

Using Spatial Tools to Analyze Crash and Roadway Data

Using Spatial Tools to Analyze Crash and Roadway Data PDF Author: GeoDecisions
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Geospatial data
Languages : en
Pages : 32

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Book Description
PennDOT engaged Gannett Fleming to conduct research into best practices in the use of geospatial analysis tools for highway safety analyses. The goals of the effort were to define a methodology for PennDOT to follow in identifying the best candidate locations for highway safety improvements, and to develop a Proof of Concept to test the proposed methodology. After conducting interviews and workshops involving more than 35 of PennDOT's stakeholders in highway safety processes, Gannett Fleming interviewed highway safety managers in five other state and federal highway agencies to determine what innovative tools and practices are currently being used. Gannett Fleming's research also included a review of literature related to the study from more than 80 sources. Based on Gannett Fleming's research and analysis, PennDOT selected the "Highway Safety Data Relationships Knowledge Base" for further research. The knowledge base is an information repository based on concepts in data mining and expert systems. It uses advanced statistical analysis methods and expert business knowledge rules to discover data patterns based on correlation and other forms of relationships in the data. The knowledge base can be applied to diagnosing specific combinations of data attributes and features that may indicate the causative factors among homogeneous populations of crashes. Most highway safety data analyses involve studying correlations among multiple data sets. The knowledge base is an innovative and compreh3nsive tool for such an application. It provides a framework for identifying and managing relationships among many combinations of data sets that are useful in highway safety analyses. Gannett Fleming proceeded to develop a prototype as a proof of concept. Gannett Fleming demonstrated the prototype using actual PennDOT crash data. Three analysis scenarios were demonstrated" evaluating safety programming alternatives for alcohol involved crashes, diagnosing data patterns of crashes at a selected highway location, identifying potential sites for system-wide deployment of a selected countermeasure

The Psychology of Driving

The Psychology of Driving PDF Author: Graham J. Hole
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 1317778103
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 243

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Book Description
Road accidents are the major cause of death and injury among young people in the developing world, and the field of psychology can offer great insights into the many factors that are at play when we get behind the wheels of our cars. Based on data collected around the world on drivers of all age groups, Graham Hole provides an up to date picture of the realities of driving, including visual perception issues, cell phone distractions, fatigue, drugs, and the effects of aging. These insights can help explain why we crash, as well as how we achieve the amazing feat of not crashing more often than we do. In this jargon-free and very accessible book, Hole applies psychological methods and insights to this every-day experience with two audiences in mind. First, he speaks to accident investigators, who frequently rely on well-developed understandings of engineering and forensics and less insight into the psychology of the driver. Second, of course, this book will be of value to anyone interested in the application of cognitive psychology to real-world behaviors, and to anyone who drives.

Vehicle Accident Analysis and Reconstruction Methods

Vehicle Accident Analysis and Reconstruction Methods PDF Author: Matthew Brach
Publisher: SAE International
ISBN: 1468604198
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 598

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Book Description
In this third edition of Vehicle Accident Analysis & Reconstruction Methods, Raymond M. Brach and R. Matthew Brach have expanded and updated their essential work for professionals in the field of accident reconstruction. Most accidents can be reconstructed effectively using of calculations and investigative and experimental data: the authors present the latest scientific, engineering, and mathematical reconstruction methods, providing a firm scientific foundation for practitioners. Accidents that cannot be reconstructed using the methods in this book are rare. In recent decades, the field of crash reconstruction has been transformed through the use of technology. The advent of event data records (EDRs) on vehicles signaled the era of modern crash reconstruction, which utilizes the same physical evidence that was previously available as well as electronic data that are measured/captured before, during, and after the collision. There is increased demand for more professional and accurate reconstruction as more crash data is available from vehicle sensors. The third edition of this essential work includes a new chapter on the use of EDRs as well as examples using EDR data in accident reconstruction. Early chapters feature foundational material that is necessary for the understanding of vehicle collisions and vehicle motion; later chapters present applications of the methods and include example reconstructions. As a result, Vehicle Accident Analysis & Reconstruction Methods remains the definitive resource in accident reconstruction.

Spatial and Temporal Effects of Large Truck-Involved Crash Injury Severities

Spatial and Temporal Effects of Large Truck-Involved Crash Injury Severities PDF Author: Jasmine Pahukula
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Crash injuries
Languages : en
Pages : 84

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Book Description
Large truck-involved crashes have a significant impact on both the economy and society. They are associated with high injury severities, high crash costs and contribute to congestion in urban areas. Past studies have investigated the contributing factors of large truck-involved crashes, however a study isolating the spatial and temporal effects is lacking. This thesis aims to bridge that gap as well as provide practical applications to improve safety from a large truck perspective through two new frameworks. This thesis contains two standalone documents, each detailing the spatial and temporal transferability framework, separately. These frameworks provide additional information that can be utilized in the development of planning tools to ultimately improve safety. Random parameters logit models (i.e. mixed logit models) were utilized to help identify the contributing factors of large truck-involved crashes. One advantage of the mixed logit model is that it can account for the unobserved heterogeneity in the model which relaxes the independence of irrelevant alternatives (IIA) property. A series of log likelihood ratio tests were utilized to determine if transferability, spatial or temporal, was warranted. The first document details the spatial transferability framework which is demonstrated through a case study on large truck-involved crashes in urban areas in Oregon and Texas. Strict regulations imposed on the trucking industry limits the variability of heavy-vehicle configurations and enhance the standards for truck drivers (as opposed to passenger vehicle drivers). Encouraging consistency between large trucks is one way to improve safety and has also lead to the investigation of commonalities between large truck-involved crashes in two spatially distributed regions. The results of the log-likelihood ratio tests indicate that spatial transferability is not warranted between Oregon and Texas. Key differences were non-driver or 'uncontrollable' characteristics (e.g. weather, light conditions and time of day) while driver related characteristics (e.g. gender, age and restraint use) had similar impacts. Since the major differences include non-driver characteristics, perhaps a regional model with similar 'uncontrollable' characteristics is warranted. The second document illustrates the temporal transferability framework which is applied to large truck-involved crashes in urban areas in Texas. Traffic patterns, light conditions and driver behavior vary throughout the day and consequently can have a varied impact on large truck-involved crashes. The results of the log likelihood ratio tests indicate that temporal transferability is warranted and the database was divided into five time periods to be analyzed separately. Traffic flow, light conditions, surface conditions, month and percentage of trucks on the road were among the significant differences between the crash factors of each time period. The two proposed transferability frameworks, spatial and temporal, provide new information that can be integrated into safety planning tools and more sharply guide decision-makers. For example, the results of this thesis can help to pinpoint temporal or spatial-related countermeasures. In addition the results of this thesis can help in the allocation of limited resources (i.e. help prioritize projects), minimize economic loss and help decision makers improve safety from a large truck perspective (e.g. modify trucking regulations). Finally, this thesis provides a foundation for future research. As indicated in Chapter 2, a future study to evaluate the feasibility of a regional large truck-involved crash model between neighboring regions and the development of a national crash data reporting standard are potential ideas for future research. Chapter 3 stressed the importance of time of day on large truck-involved crashes which can serve as the basis to study the safety and economic impacts of time of day shifts of truck freight movements to off-peak periods. In summary, this thesis involves original research that expands the literature and provides a new foundation to analyze large truck-involved crashes.