Recommended Citation
Tarko, A. P., Guo, Q., Pineda-Mendez, R., & Romero, M. A. (2021). Using emerging and extraordinary data sources to improve traffic safety (Joint Transportation Research Program Publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2021/04). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284317283
DOI
10.5703/1288284317283
Abstract
The current safety management program in Indiana uses a method based on aggregate crash data for conditions averaged over several-year periods with consideration of only major roadway features. This approach does not analyze the risk of crashes potentially affected by time-dependent conditions such as traffic control, operations, weather and their interaction with road geometry. With the rapid development of data collection techniques, time-dependent data have emerged, some of which have become available for safety management. This project investigated the feasibility of using emerging and existing data sources to supplement the current safety management practices in Indiana and performed a comprehensive evaluation of the quality of the new data sources and their relevance to traffic safety analysis. In two case studies, time-dependent data were acquired and integrated to estimate their effects on the hourly probability of crash and its severity on two selected types of roads: (1) rural freeways and (2) signalized intersections. The results indicate a considerable connection between hourly traffic volume, average speeds, and weather conditions on the hourly probability of crash and its severity. Although some roadway geometric features were found to affect safety, the lack of turning volume data at intersections led to some counterintuitive results. Improvements have been identified to be implemented in the next phase of the project to eliminate these undesirable results.
Report Number
FHWA/IN/JTRP-2021/04
Keywords
safety management, crash risk, injury severity, rural freeways, signalized intersections, emerging data
SPR Number
4302
Performing Organization
Joint Transportation Research Program
Sponsoring Organization
Indiana Department of Transportation
Publisher Place
West Lafayette, IN
Date of this Version
2021