Estimation of heavy vehicle-involved rear-end crash potential using WIM data

This study processes per-vehicle data from a WIM (weight-in-motion) sensor to investigate the heavy vehicle-involved crash risk potential (CRP) on freeways. To estimate rear-end CRP, one of the previously developed models is modified to use WIM data. In addition, this study proposes a technique for estimating the crash risk level, which is determined by comparing the estimated crash risk probability with the maximum expected risk probability at a given level of service (LOS). A time-series investigation reveals that there is clear difference in the CRP and crash risk level between lanes and there are two major time windows with high heavy vehicle-involved crash risk levels. After repeating the exercise for all available data, this study confirms that these observations are systematic and reproducible. Not only can the results in this study provide a local guidance for traffic agencies to prepare for heavy vehicle crash prevention strategies, but reiterating the investigation over multiple locations also allows them to monitor heavy vehicle crash risk levels at the network level.
Source: Accident Analysis and Prevention - Category: Accident Prevention Source Type: research