Recommended Citation
Pineda-Mendez, R. A., Guo, Q., Romero, M. A., & Tarko, A. P. (2024). In-service safety evaluation of Indiana impact attenuators and barrier end treatments (Joint Transportation Research Program Publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2024/24). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284317765
DOI
10.5703/1288284317765
Abstract
Crashes related to barrier end treatments and impact attenuators generally have higher severity levels than those colliding with barrier faces. To select the most effective end treatments, the in-service safety evaluation of such end treatments under various operational conditions was needed. This study linked 7 years of crash records with the corresponding end treatments using inventory from the Indiana Road Network Dataset. Factors affecting crash severity, including speed, weather, roadway features, and vehicle types, were extracted and integrated with crashes in the modeling sample. Both random parameter and fixed effect ordered logit models were used to estimate the effects of various end treatments on crash severity under studied conditions. The probabilities of severity levels outcomes were estimated for barrier end treatments and impact attenuators. These probability distributions were converted into economic costs with proper adjustments for the estimated underreporting rates. The corresponding crash and cost reduction factors were also estimated. The expected average crash costs under various operational conditions should help select a roadside safety device that performs best for the road and traffic conditions.
Report Number
FHWA/IN/JTRP-2024/24
Keywords
barrier end treatments, impact attenuators, in-service performance, crash severity, crash cost
SPR Number
4541
Performing Organization
Joint Transportation Research Program
Sponsoring Organization
Indiana Department of Transportation
Publisher Place
West Lafayette, IN
Date of this Version
2024