Clustering the Effects of Traffic Control Type, Functional Class and Spatial Distributions to Intersections Traffic Safety

This paper contributes to the literature by examining the effects of traffic control type, spatial distribution and functional class to the traffic safety at intersections. The goal is to correlate crash occurrences to intersection types based on the amount of traffic volume entering the intersection, functional classes of intersecting streets, traffic control type, and the location with respect to Central Business District (CBD) areas. Using data from Davidson County in Nashville Tennessee, the study evaluated the intersections considering crashes occurring within 50 feet and 250 feet from the intersection. The study found that signal controlled intersection crash rates are higher with in the CBD areas but lower in non- CBD areas. However, all-way stop controlled intersections have high crash rates than signalized intersections in non- CBD areas. The overall finding is that the signal controlled intersections are more hazardous within CBD areas relative to non CBD areas compared to stop controlled intersections. Considering the functional class of intersecting streets, the study found that signal controlled intersections crash rates are lowest when the municipal roads are intersecting state roads. Stop controlled intersections have high crash rates when two municipal roads are crossing compared to other combination of functional classes. The intersection of municipal and state roads showed the lowest crash rates for non CBD areas. The statistical modeling validated the findings by quantifying the effect of these variables and their direction of impact (increasing or decreasing probability of crashes). The findings can be of interest to traffic authorities and policy makers in reinforcing intersection traffic safety control measures in the cities.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ANB25 Standing Committee on Highway Safety Performance.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Transportation Research Board

    ,    
  • Authors:
    • Henderson, Brionne
    • Chimba, Deo
  • Conference:
  • Date: 2019

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Features: Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 10p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01698336
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: 19-00124
  • Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
  • Created Date: Mar 1 2019 3:51PM