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Title:

Safety Benefits of Stability Control Systems for Motorcoach Buses

Accession Number:

01372710

Record Type:

Component

Abstract:

This paper contains an analysis of the potential safety benefits of electronic stability control systems (ESC) for motorcoach buses operating within the U.S.. Motorcoaches are defined here as flat-front, high platform buses equipped for intercity or long distance travel. The deployment of the stability technologies for single motorcoach buses is in its infancy. National crash databases do not include information that can be used to identify buses equipped with ESC; moreover, even if they could be identified, in the current stage of deployment it is unlikely that there would be sufficient data to evaluate the safety performance of the technology, particularly given the low number of motorcoach crashes. In light of these limitations, this study examined all recent fatal motorcoach crashes utilizing information from the accident reports, formal studies such as NTSB, and information contained in reconstruction reports to determine the likelihood that the crash may have been prevented or mitigated should the motorcoach have been fitted with functioning ESC technology. From this analysis it was determined that assuming ESC was fitted to all motorcoach buses, savings from loss of control (LOC) and rollover crashes prevented are estimated at $25 million annually. While the financial benefits for motorcoaches were found to be limited, the intrinsic value of this technology will likely exceed the financial benefits, given that motorcoaches transport the public and there is an expectation that effective safety technology should be used even if the exposure is low.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ANB70 Truck and Bus Safety

Monograph Accession #:

01362476

Report/Paper Numbers:

12-3831

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Authors:

Woodrooffe, John
Blower, Daniel
Green, Paul E

Pagination:

17p

Publication Date:

2012

Conference:

Transportation Research Board 91st Annual Meeting

Location: Washington DC, United States
Date: 2012-1-22 to 2012-1-26
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board

Media Type:

Digital/other

Features:

Figures; References; Tables

Uncontrolled Terms:

Electronic stability control

Subject Areas:

Motor Carriers; Passenger Transportation; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I80: Accident Studies; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety

Source Data:

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2012 Paper #12-3831

Files:

TRIS, TRB

Created Date:

Feb 8 2012 5:19PM