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The crash severity impacts of fixed roadside objects
Jason M Holdridge1, Venky N Shankar, Gudmundur F Ulfarsson
1DKS Associates, 719 Second Avenue, Suite 1250, Seattle, WA 98104-1728, USA.
Journal of Safety Research
|May 12, 2005
Summary
Roadside hardware like guardrail ends and utility poles increase fatal injury risk. Safer designs and protection from rigid objects are crucial for reducing severe crashes.
Area of Science:
- Traffic Safety Engineering
- Transportation Safety
- Statistical Modeling
Background:
- Analyzes in-service performance of roadside hardware on Washington State's urban routes.
- Focuses on fixed-object crashes and injury severity using discrete outcome theory.
Purpose of the Study:
- Provide deeper insight into factors affecting crash severities involving fixed roadside objects.
- Enhance statistical efficiency through disaggregate and multivariate analysis.
Main Methods:
- Developed multivariate nested logit models for injury severity.
- Estimated models using the method of full information maximum likelihood.
Main Results:
- Leading ends of guardrails/bridge rails and large wooden poles increase fatal injury probability.
- Guardrail faces reduce evident injury probability; concrete barriers correlate with lower severities.
- Driver factors (speeding, DUI, no seatbelt use) significantly increase injury severity.
Conclusions:
- Guardrail leading ends contribute to fatal injuries, necessitating improved designs.
- Protecting vehicles from crashes with rigid poles and tree stumps is vital for reducing fatalities.