IDENTIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS: FINAL REPORT

The principal objectives of the research project were to develop and verify procedures for identifying hazardous locations on all highway facilities except freeways and those systems within the Central Business District (CBD). A Hazardousness Rating Formula (HRF) was developed which incorporates both accident and non-accident measures, or predictors. The intent of such a formula is to supplement, rather than replace, accident record systems in establishing the relative hazardousness at spot locations within the highway system. The formula provides a means for establishing a Hazardousness Index for any suspect site. The HRF incorporates data inputs regarding the number of accidents per year, accident rate (accidents per million entering vehicles), accident severity, sight distance, volume/capacity ratio, traffic conflicts, erratic maneuver counts, and two subjective indicators--driver expectancy and information system deficiencies. The form, control values for establishing three levels of hazardousness (normal, hazardous, and very hazardous), and scaling charts necessary to convert raw data values into a Hazardousness Indicator Value are presented for each indicator. The concept of the Hazardousness Rating Formula to assess relative hazardousness at spot locations appears to be valid, based on the results of workshops conducted as part of the research project, and limited statistical analysis of data from 12 study sites. /FHWA/

• Corporate Authors:

  Pennsylvania State University, University Park

  Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Transportation Research Building
  University Park, PA  United States  16802
• Authors:
  • Taylor, J I
  • Thompson, H T
• Publication Date: 1977-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 142 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash rates; Crash reports; Crash severity; Data collection; Driver information systems; High risk locations; Highway capacity; Identification systems; Problem drivers; Ratios; Reckless drivers; Sight distance; Statistical analysis; Traffic conflicts; Traffic volume
• Uncontrolled Terms: Hardware; Identification
• Old TRIS Terms: Erratic driving behavior
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00179396
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-77- 83, FCP 31A1-523
• Contract Numbers: DOT-FH-11-8279
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 27 1978 12:00AM