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Citation |
Zegeer CV, Huang HF, Stutts JC, Rodgman E, Hummer JE. Transp. Res. Rec. 1994; 1467: 14-22. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 1994, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing) |
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DOI |
unavailable |
PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
Traffic accidents involving buses result in about 35,000 injuries in the United States each year. This study describes bus and motor vehicle accident characteristics and recommends roadway-related countermeasures. Analyses were carried out on a primary study file of 8,897 commercial bus crashes in five states--Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, and Utah--for 1985 through 1989. A subset file with urban crashes in four states and the entire Illinois motor vehicle accident file with all vehicle types were also analyzed. The overall number of crashes was highest in winter, perhaps partly because of snow and ice. Older buses were overrepresented in injury and fatal crashes in comparison with newer buses. Neither bus driver age nor gender was related to accident involvement. Bus crashes at traffic lights were more likely to cause injuries and fatalities than those at stop signs. In Illinois, the most common bus accident types were rear end with one vehicle stopped, sideswipe same direction, and turning. Rear-end and angle accidents were most likely to cause injuries and fatalities. A number of measures may be used to improve bus safety. Roadway improvements on bus routes include wider travel lanes, paved shoulders or bus pull-off lanes, wider intersection turning radii, separate turn lanes, restriction of on-street parking, proper use and placement of signs and lane markings, and separate left-turn phasing. General roadway improvements in suburban and rural areas that can also reduce bus crashes include flatter roadside slopes and improved design of guardrail and roadway alignment. Future research needs related to bus transit safety are also discussed. Language: en |
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Keywords |
Accident prevention; Buses; Highway accidents; Traffic signs; Highway engineering; Improvement; Highway systems; Urban planning; Highway markings; Guard rails |