Highway Safety Assessment through Geographic Information System-Based Data Visualization

This paper describes a new method of safety assessment of highway stopping and passing sight distances. Topographic data were collected by flying a plane equipped with a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system on a section of two-lane rural highway. The collected data were manipulated in a geographic information system (GIS) to obtain three-dimensional models of the various highway subsections. These models were visually analyzed to check for stopping and passing sight distances, thus narrowing the list of locations with potential safety issues. Subsequent line-of-sight analysis in a GIS indicated the presence of several obstructions, prompting a field visit for validation. Field inspection of the locations verified the presence of the obstructions detected during the analysis. Overall, this research indicated the viability of successful visualization of LiDAR data for highway sight distance evaluations and is indicative of LiDAR's potential for highway safety-related applications. Comments on the resources needed to embrace this technology and future research improvements are part of the paper.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/08873801
• Authors:
  • Khattak, Aemal J
  • Shamayleh, Huda
• Publication Date: 2005-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: pp 407-411
• Serial:
  • Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering
  • Volume: 19
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0887-3801

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer models; Data analysis; Data collection; Field studies; Geographic information systems; Highway safety; Image analysis; Laser radar; Line of sight; Passing sight distance; Rural highways; Stopping sight distance; Topography; Two lane highways; Validation; Visualization
• Candidate Terms: Imaging systems
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01005637
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 14 2005 11:16AM