01664151

Component

Truck crash occurrence causes extensive damage to lives and property. Truck crashes on downgrades exacerbates these costs due to the likelihood of a runaway being involved. Most past studies on truck crashes have focused on level roadway sections of highways without considering the effects of downgrades. The difference in geometric characteristics of downgrades and the mechanics of truck operations on such sections mean different factors may be at play in contrast to straight, level roadway sections. This paper investigates the factors influencing truck crashes on downgrades; an attempt to fill in some of the research gaps. An empirical analysis of factors affecting truck crashes on two-lane downgrade roadways in Wyoming was carried out using a binary logistic regression technique. After calibrating the model, the effect of each significant variable was determined using theoretical concepts established in previous studies and engineering intuition. Crash factors including driver gender and age, speed compliance, weather, lighting and road condition, shoulder width, lane width, number of sag and crest curves, roadway grade and length were found to be significant. The results of the study offer new understandings into how the identified factors influence truck crashes on downgrades.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ANB70 Standing Committee on Truck and Bus Safety. Alternative Title: Factors Causing Truck Crashes on Two-Lane Downgrades in Wyoming: A Logistic Regression Approach

18-05285

English

7p

2018

Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References (8) ; Tables

Crash causes; Crash characteristics; Road downgrades; Truck crashes; Two lane highways

Wyoming

Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2018 Paper #18-05285

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 8 2018 11:20AM