HIGHWAY ACCIDENTS AT BRIDGES (ABRIDGMENT)

The objective of this study was to identify the principal features of bridges and appurtenances that may be related to accident frequency and severity and to provide some further insights to highway safety. Accident statistics were compiled and evaluated. The severity of each type was determined by means of a severity index. Also, roadway and environmental conditions at the time of the accidents were also noted. The following are some of the conclusions and recommendations which resulted from the study: Bridge related accidents were a singificant percentage of the total accidents on Interstates and parkways; The severity of bridge related accidents on primary and secondary highways were almost identical to those on the Interstate and highway system; Guardrail protection at bridge piers has proved less than totally effective; The high percentage of nightime accidents suggests a problem with visual perception of the structure ahead and the need for better delineation; Primary and secondary bridges with curved approaches deserve particular attention because of the high number of fatal accidents that occur at this type of locations.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1976/601/601-017.pdf
• Summary URL:
  http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=HIGHWAY+ACCIDENTS+AT+BRIDGES+(ABRIDGMENT)&author=K.+Agent&author=R.+Deen&publication_year=1976
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03611981
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Operational Effects of Geometrics. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Agent, Kenneth R
  • Deen, Robert C
• Publication Date: 1976

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 83-85
• Monograph Title: Freeways, automatic vehicle identification, and effects of geometrics
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 601
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge piers; Bridges; Crash severity; Curved bridges; Fatalities; Guardrails; Night vision; Primary highways; Secondary roads; Traffic crashes
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00153166
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309025702
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: May 31 1977 12:00AM