Exploring Influential Factors Affecting the Severity of Urban Expressway Collisions: A Study Based on Collision Data

Area of Science:

• Traffic Safety
• Transportation Engineering
• Accident Analysis

Background:

• Urban expressway collisions result in severe consequences, including injuries, fatalities, and property damage.
• Existing research on the severity of urban expressway traffic collisions requires deeper exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the factors influencing the severity of urban expressway collisions.
• To categorize collision severity into slight, severe, and fatal outcomes.

Main Methods:

• An ordered logistic regression model was developed.
• Data from 975 valid urban expressway collisions were analyzed.
• Independent factors included individual characteristics, collision characteristics, and road environment conditions.

Main Results:

• Gender, collision modality, road pavement, road surface conditions, and visibility significantly affect collision severity.
• Females and collisions involving pedestrians/non-motorized vehicles face higher severity risks.
• Poor pavement, wet surfaces, and low visibility increase the likelihood of severe collisions.

Conclusions:

• Specific factors like gender, collision type, road, and environmental conditions are critical determinants of urban expressway crash severity.
• Findings offer data-driven strategies for mitigating casualties on urban expressways.