VEHICLE AND GEOMETRIC VARIABLES RELATED TO ACCIDENTS IN RURAL NO-PASSING ZONES. FINAL REPORT

Previous studies on Michigan highways had identified a high rate of accidents in no-passing zones. This study was conducted to identify geometric features, roadside and vehicle characteristics, associated with these higher accident rates. A representative sample of two-lane, two-way rural roads in Michigan, containing 525 no-passing zones (245 with a high accident rate and 280 with zero accidents in three years) was selected for the study. Geometic and roadside environment information (i.e. shoulder and curve type, number of driveways, roadway obstacles and intersections) were gathered for each of these 525 no-passing zones. Regression analysis and discriminant analysis were used to describe the propensity of a no-passing zone to experience a high accident rate. Discriminant models were developed to predict which no-passing zone will experience "high" and "low" accident rates based on these variables. No evidence was found that the length of no-passing zones or the presence of curve warning signs, chevrons or advisory speed plates is related to the rate of accidents in no-passing zones. The study also failed to find no-passing zones to be particularly hazardous for vehicles for any specific weight class. Small vehicles experience a higher than expected accident rate on rural roads in general, but this does not appear to be exacerbated in no-passing zones.

• Corporate Authors:

  Michigan State University, East Lansing

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  East Lansing, MI  United States  48824-1226

  Michigan Department of Transportation

  State Transportation Building
  425 West Ottawa Street
  Lansing, MI  United States  48909

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Taylor, W C
  • DeLong, M
  • Shams, G
• Publication Date: 1985-11

Media Info

• Pagination: n.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash rates; Discriminant analysis; Geometric curves; Geometric design; Length; Mathematical models; No passing zones; Regression analysis; Roadside; Rural highways; Signs; Vehicle characteristics; Warning signs
• Old TRIS Terms: Chevron signs; Discriminate analysis
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I81: Accident Statistics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00462219
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-MI-RD-85-05
• Contract Numbers: 0010 (7)
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 28 1987 12:00AM