Citation

Elghriany A, Yi P, Liu P, Yu Q. J. Transp. Saf. Secur. 2016; 8(2): 164-176.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Southeastern Transportation Center, and Beijing Jiaotong University, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/19439962.2015.1025458

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Pavement roughness may have a significant impact on traffic safety, but its effect on the overall safety problem needs to be studied and quantified. This article investigates the relationship between International Roughness Index (IRI) and crash rates by looking into traffic safety performance over time under changing pavement conditions (change of IRI). Specifically, the proposed model provides insight into the effect of roadway (rigid pavement) surface conditions on traffic safety to develop a better understanding of the problem. Data on a geographic information system platform from different sources in the state of Ohio were compiled and analyzed using a statistical analysis approach. Different model formulations were examined, and a quadratic relationship was found to be the most effective for linking the crash rates with pavement roughness. Rigid pavement with an IRI value of around 1.50 m/km seems to suggest a safer roadway, whereas pavement with IRI values of greater than 2.25 m/km looks susceptible to much higher crash rates. The findings of this study may serve as a good reference that can assist state and local transportation agencies in roadway maintenance decision making.

Language: en