@article{ref1,
title="Investigating the effect of geometric dimensions of median traffic barriers on crashes: crash analysis of interstate roads in Wyoming using actual crash datasets",
journal="Journal of safety research",
year="2019",
author="Mehrara Molan, Amirarsalan and Moomen, Milhan and Ksaibati, Khaled",
volume="71",
number="",
pages="163-171",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Despite the numerous safety studies done on traffic barriers' performance assessment, the effect of variables such as traffic barrier's height has not been identified considering a comprehensive actual crash data analysis. This study seeks to identify the impact of geometric variables (i.e., height, post-spacing, sideslope ratio, and lateral offset) on median traffic barriers' performance in crashes on interstate roads. <br><br>METHOD: Geometric dimensions of over 110 miles median traffic barriers on interstate Wyoming roads were inventoried in a field survey between 2016 and 2018. Then, the traffic barrier data collected was combined with historical crash records, traffic volume data, road geometric characteristics, and weather condition data to provide a comprehensive dataset for the analysis. Finally, an ordered logit model with random-parameters was developed for the severity of traffic barrier crashes. Based on the results, traffic barrier's height was found to impact crash severity. <br><br>RESULTS: Crashes involving cable barriers with a height between 30″ and 42″ were less severe than other traffic barrier types, while concrete barriers with a height shorter than 32″ were more likely involved with severe injury crashes. As another important finding, the post-spacing of 6.1-6.3 ft. was identified as the least severe range in W-beam barriers. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The results show that using flare barriers should reduce the number of crashes compared to parallel barriers.<br><br>Copyright © 2019 National Safety Council and Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0022-4375",
doi="10.1016/j.jsr.2019.10.001",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2019.10.001"
}