Utah Intersection Safety: Recurrent Crash Sites: Identification, Issues and Factors

A study of collisions occurring at intersections along state routes in Utah was conducted. The number of crashes, the crash severity score and, for selected locations, the crash rate were determined and “ranked” for intersections within the Utah Department of Transportation’s Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4’s three districts, and the entire state. Study periods of ten years (1994-2003) and three years (2001-2003) were used. The Crash Data Delivery System (CDDS) was used to identify intersections, determine crash frequencies and severities, and find other collision-related statistics. The intersection of Bangerter Highway and 5400 South in Taylorsville experienced the largest number of crashes between 1994 and 2003 (949) and between 2001 and 2003 (296). The intersection of 700 East and 3300 South in South Salt Lake had the state’s highest crash severity score between 1994 and 2003 (9,524.8); the score assigns 1,000 points to a fatal crash, 100 points to an incapacitating injury crash, and so forth. This intersection also witnessed the largest number of fatal crashes between 1994 and 2003 (5). The intersection of 31st and Wall Avenue in Ogden had the highest severity score between 2001 and 2003 (3,394.5). The intersection of Main Street and 800 East in Hyrum had the highest crash rate among intersections between two state routes, at 4.54 per million entering vehicles, based on 2001-2003 data. University Avenue and 900 North in Provo experienced the greatest number of crashes among non-signalized intersections between 1994 and 2003 (623), while Riverdale Road and Pacific Avenue in Riverdale had the highest number between 2001 and 2003 (156). The intersection of U.S. 89 and an unnamed road in Sanpete County, at milepoint 216.54, had the highest severity scores among non-signalized intersections for both the ten- and three-year study periods. Detailed examinations of individual crash sites were not performed in this study, although the report contains some general recommendations. For example, signalization may be a mitigating strategy at certain non-signalized intersections. Red light cameras, pedestrian facilities, bicycling facilities, and the removal of on-street parking are among the numerous interventions that could be considered for reducing and “calming” crashes. Additional analysis should investigate collision types by crash severity at a variety of intersections, crash rates at intersections between state and non-state routes, and variable functional influence areas. The research team considered the CDDS to be a useful tool, and encourages its continued development, including the customization of certain database search procedures.

  • Record URL:
  • Supplemental Notes:
    • This research was funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
  • Corporate Authors:

    University of Utah, Salt Lake City

    Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
    122 South Central Campus Drive
    Salt Lake City, UT  United States  84112

    Mountain-Plains Consortium

    North Dakota State University
    Fargo, ND  United States  58108
  • Authors:
    • Cottrell, Wayne D
    • Mu, Sichun
  • Publication Date: 2005-12

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Features: Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 99p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01030696
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: MPC Report No. 05-176
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Aug 10 2006 10:44AM