01337996

Component

Exploring the significant variables related to specific types of crashes is vitally important in the planning stage of a transportation network. This paper aims to identify and examine important variables associated with total crashes and severe crashes per traffic analysis zone (TAZ) in four counties of the state of Florida by applying nonparametric statistical techniques such as data mining and random forest. The intention of investigating these factors in such aggregate level analysis will be helpful in incorporating proactive safety measures for long range transportation planning. Total and severe crashes per TAZ were modeled to provide predictive decision trees. The variables which carried higher weight of importance for total crashes per TAZ were - total number of intersections per TAZ, airport trip productions, light truck productions, and total roadway segment length with 35 mph posted speed limit. The other significant variables identified for total crashes were roadway segment length with 15 mph posted speed limit, and 65 mph posted speed limit, and non-home based work productions. For severe crashes, total number of intersections per TAZ, light truck productions, total roadway segment length with 35 mph posted speed limit and 65 mph posted speed limit were among the significant variables. These variables were further verified and supported by the random forest results.

01329018

11-0104

English

17p

2011

Transportation Research Board 90th Annual Meeting

DVD

Figures (6) ; References (40) ; Tables (2)

Airport traffic; Crash data; Crash severity; Data mining; Highway safety; Intersections; Light trucks; Long range planning; Speed limits; Traffic analysis zones; Transportation planning

Florida

Data and Information Technology; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I81: Accident Statistics

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2011 Paper #11-0104

TRIS, TRB

Feb 17 2011 5:19PM