Differences in Motorcycle Conspicuity-related Factors and Motorcycle Crash Severities in Daylight and Dark Conditions

Previous studies in the United States and internationally suggest that low motorcycle conspicuity, or the inability of the motorcyclist to be seen by other road users, is an important factor associated with the risk of motorcycle crashes. However, there has been limited research on motorcycle conspicuity in the United States in the past two decades, while at the same time, there has been a renewed interest from states in increasing motorcycle conspicuity and motorist awareness. Using motorcycle crash data for Iowa from 2001 to 2008, this paper examines the distribution of conspicuity related factors that could potentially relate to a collision between a motorcycle and another vehicle in daylight and dark conditions using contingency table analysis. This paper further examines the distribution of collision configurations (such as “non-motorcycle” being “at-fault” in rear-end collisions, angle crashes, and sideswipe crashes) and factors (related to “non-motorcycle” vehicle drivers) potentially related to not seeing motorcyclists for different motorcycle crash severity outcomes using contingency table analysis. Finally, this paper develops a multinomial logit model to investigate the effect of potential motorcycle-conspicuity related factors on motorcycle crash severity outcomes. The results from the model show that angle crashes (“non-motorcycle” turning left), rear end crashes (“non-motorcycle” hitting “motorcycle”), light conditions, failure to yield ROW (right of way) by non-motorcycle drivers, light conditions and other variables played significant roles in motorcycle crash-injury outcome. The limitations of examining motorcycle conspicuity by analysis of crash data are also discussed.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/conferences/2011/RSS/2/Shaheed,M.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • 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
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

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• Authors:
  • Shaheed, Mohammad Saad
  • Zhang, Wei
  • Gkritza, Konstantina
  • Hans, Zach
• Conference:
  • 3rd International Conference on Road Safety and Simulation
  • Location: Indianapolis Indiana, United States
  • Date: 2011-9-14 to 2011-9-16
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: 22p
• Monograph Title: 3rd International Conference on Road Safety and Simulation

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash data; Crash severity; Logits; Motorcycle crashes; Rear end crashes; Visibility
• Geographic Terms: Iowa; United States
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I80: Accident Studies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01504375
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 24 2014 2:29PM