Analysis of Work Zone Gaps and Rear-End Collision Probability
This paper studies platooning and headway/gap characteristics of traffic flow in highway short-term and long-term work zones under various car-following patterns. The relationship between traffic volume and the percentage of vehicles in platoons is developed, along with some statistical models for platoon size and headway/gap size distribution. An in-depth analysis of data reveals that vehicles in work zones with higher speed limits maintain shorter car-following time gaps than those in work zones with lower speed limits, even though more time is needed to stop a faster vehicle. This unusual combination of higher speeds and shorter car-following time gaps in work zones may contribute to the high proportion of rear-end collisions among all work zone-related accidents. This paper also presents a new method for evaluating rear-end collision potential, including the probability and the number of vehicles involved in rear-end collisions, by analyzing platoon and gap characteristics for locations without crash records during a construction period.
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/37387952
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Authors:
- Sun, Dazhi
- Benekohal, Rahim F
- Publication Date: 2005
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Print
- Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: pp 71-86
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Serial:
- Journal of Transportation and Statistics
- Volume: 8
- Issue Number: 2
- Publisher: Research and Innovative Technology Administration
- ISSN: 1094-8848
- Serial URL: http://www.bts.gov/publications/journal_of_transportation_and_statistics/
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Car following; Crash data; Following distance; Headways; Highway safety; Mathematical models; Probability theory; Rear end crashes; Traffic flow; Traffic platooning; Traffic speed; Traffic volume; Work zone traffic control; Work zones
- Uncontrolled Terms: Gap distance (Traffic); Gap spacing
- Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control; I80: Accident Studies;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01022771
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS, ATRI
- Created Date: Apr 13 2006 2:59PM