Analysis of Accident Statistics on Urban Arterial Street Work Zones

In order to develop a better understanding of work zone traffic control problems, traffic crashes statistics in work zones on urban arterial streets in Texas were collected and analyzed. The objectives of the analyses were to determine major accident types, factors contributing, as well as other characteristics, which can support development of traffic control improvement solutions. The analysis showed two major groups of contributing factors. The first group that contributed to around 34% of crashes includes conscious violations by drivers, such as driving while intoxicated and speeding. From traffic engineering perspective the second group, such as disregarding signs, failure to yield right-of-way, and improper maneuvering, contributing to around 64% of investigated crashes, are of major importance. While drivers can commit such violations consciously, they can also be due to inadequate perception of traffic situations, caused by insufficient or missing information. The analyses highlight the potential for improvements of work zone traffic control planning and The findings of the accident statistic analysis were integrated with field observation findings and investigations of driver behavior (not discussed in this paper), and support the recommendations for work zone signing and traffic control device location, better suited to human abilities and behavior.

• Corporate Authors:

  ITS America

  1100 17th Street, NW, 12th Floor
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Authors:
  • Tsyganov, Alexei R
  • Mohan, Dinesh Natarajan
  • Machemehl, Randy B
• Conference:
  • 12th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems
  • Location: San Francisco California, United States
  • Date: 2005-11-6 to 2005-11-10
• Publication Date: 2005

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: CD-ROM; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 12p
• Monograph Title: Proceedings of the 12th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Arterial highways; Behavior; Crashes; Driver experience; Information systems; Statistical analysis; Traffic control; Urban areas; Work zone safety; Work zone traffic control
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I81: Accident Statistics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01016104
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 5 2005 1:56PM