Citation

Zhang Y, Xie Y, Li L. J. Saf. Res. 2012; 43(2): 107-114.

Affiliation

Zachry Department of Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, 3136 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-3136, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jsr.2012.01.003

PMID

22709995

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This paper utilizes generalized additive model to explore the potential non-linear relationship between crash frequency and exposure on different types of urban roadway segments. METHODS: Generalized additive models are used to analyze crash frequency data and compared with the commonly used crash rate method and generalized linear models using a five-year crash data set from Houston, Texas. RESULTS: The study shows that the relationship between crash frequency and exposure varies by segment type and the linearity may only approximately exist in certain segment types. In addition, the generalized additive modeling results suggest that such relationship curves may not be monotonic. Finally, this study demonstrates that generalized additive models in general provide better flexibility and modeling performance than generalized linear models. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The generalized additive model provides a very promising alternative for crash frequency modeling and other safety studies.

Language: en