Preventing and mitigating truck crashes: results from 100 in-depth no-blame truck crash investigations

Trucks play an important role in the Australian economy but also make a substantial contribution to the lives lost on Australian roads. The aim of the present study was to undertake a substantial sample (n=100) of in-depth no-blame crash investigations of crashes involving trucks to identify the factors that contribute to their occurrence, and the interventions that show the most potential to prevent such crashes or mitigate the resulting injuries. Truck crashes were investigated within 200 km of Adelaide, South Australia, and mostly occurred in the city and inner regional areas. The sample was biased towards more severe crashes. While human factors were the most common contributor to truck crashes, road and vehicle-based interventions were found to have the greatest potential to prevent and mitigate truck crashes. Road-based interventions aimed at preventing and mitigating crashes at intersections were found to be particularly important for truck crashes. These interventions include roundabouts, the installation of traffic lights (with fully controlled right turns), grade separating intersections, preventing right turns, vertical deflection, and improving the geometry of the intersection. The truck technologies found to have the most potential for crash prevention and mitigation were electronic stability control (ESC) and autonomous emergency braking (AEB). The reduction of speed limits and the installation of centre barriers were also found to be important interventions to mitigate injuries from crashes involving trucks. The maximum benefit can be achieved from these interventions if a system-wide approach is taken to their introduction.

• Record URL:
  https://casr.adelaide.edu.au/publications/list/?id=2094
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9781925971507
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Adelaide. Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR)

  Adelaide, South Australia   
• Authors:
  • Doecke, S D
  • Elsgegood, M E
  • Thompson, J P
  • Ponte, G
  • Edwards, S A
  • O'Donovan, S
• Publication Date: 2024-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 69p
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: CASR 216

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Advanced vehicle control systems; Advanced vehicle control systems; Crash analysis; Crash causes; Crash investigation; Crash severity; Heavy vehicles; Human factors; Roundabouts; Traffic safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Electronic stability control; Human machine interface
• Geographic Terms: Australia; South Australia
• ATRI Terms: Advanced vehicle control systems (AVCS); Crash analysis; Crash cause; Crash countermeasure; Crash investigation; Crash severity; Electronic stability control (ESC); Heavy vehicle; Human factors; Roundabout
• ITRD Terms: 1661: Accident prevention; 6471: Analysis (math); 1453: Electronic stability program; 1236: Lorry; 1623: Severity (accid, injury)
• Subject Areas: I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01910853
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB Group Limited
• ISBN: 9781925971507
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 5 2024 1:51PM