Citation

Polus A, Pollatschek MA, Mattar-Habib C, Jarroush J. Road Transp. Res. 2005; 14(4): 13-26.

Affiliation

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Australian Road Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was three-fold: First, to further investigate a previously developed basic consistency model that was applicable mainly to level terrain and to enhance it to include the impact of grades and trucks on consistency. Second, to present an original, independent software program, HSPC, that determines the speed profiles of cars and trucks - needed for the consistency determination - based on both horizontal and vertical alignment features. Third, to present the investigation and results of the impact of design consistency on road crashes. An enhanced consistency model that includes an exponential term to quantify the impact of trucks on consistency is presented and evaluated. The enhanced consistency is termed Integrated Consistency. The HSPC software and its logic and algorithms are presented along with a sample analysis of two short highway segments. A statistically significant trend showing a reduction in crash rates with an increase in consistency is presented and discussed. The enhanced-consistency model and the software may be used relatively effortlessly to determine consistencies of different alternatives during the planning of new highways or the reconstruction of existing roads. Planners and decision-makers will there by be alerted to potential design deficiencies, thus improving safety levels and helping to save lives.

Language: en