00458196

Component

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...trr/1985/1038/1038-003.pdf

https://scholar.google.co...wood&publication_year=1985

There have been many studies that have attempted to ascertain any difference in the safety of various large truck configurations. Special attention has been paid to double trailer combinations (doubles) compared to tractor-semitrailer combinations (singles). Most researchers have found little if any difference in their respective accident rates. The major exception is a large, widely quoted study conducted by BioTechnology, Inc., for the Federal Highway Administration. It concluded, among other things, that doubles have significantly higher accident rates than do singles. The research reported in this paper consisted of a thorough review of all aspects of that study, with particular emphasis on the structure and contents of the three major data bases used. These included data on 2,112 large truck accident involvements, vehicle classification count data taken at 78 sites, and driver and truck data (including size and weight) on more than 32,000 trucks. It was found that the conclusions drawn by BioTechnology, Inc., regarding doubles versus singles, as well as most of the other major conclusions, are not supported by the data bases. Although the accident data base may be useful to other researchers, if used with care, the two data bases needed to estimate exposure are totally inaccurate, and results derived therefrom are probably meaningless.

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.

01419423

pp 17-25

1985

Transportation Research Record

0309039541

Print

Figures (7) ; Photos (4) ; References (14) ; Tables (10)

Accuracy; Alternatives analysis; Crash rates; Databases; Tractor trailer combinations; Trailers

Highways; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I81: Accident Statistics

TRIS, TRB

Sep 30 1986 12:00AM

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