SEVERITY ANALYSIS OF DIVIDED FOUR-LANE INTERCITY HIGHWAY CRASHES

Abstract

Road traffic crashes have been a global concern since very long. About more than 1 million people lose their lives in fatal road crashes every year. Rural highways account for a very little proportion of the total road network, but these are responsible for carrying more than 40% of the traffic. In developing countries like India, rural highways are subjected to mixed traffic conditions which account for roadway design flaws as each and every vehicle type may not be taken into account. This study focuses on determination of factors affecting the road crash frequency and severity and quantification of relationship between the influencing factors and road traffic crash severity on inter-city highways. 2120 Traffic crashes occurred on an 80 km stretch on NH-334 are analyzed for determination of the relationship between the influencing variables and crash severity. 4 crash severity levels are defined as Fatal, Grievous, Minor and Non injury. Multinomial logistic regression and binary logistic regression is being used for analysis of data. It was evident from the analysis that over speeding and drunk driving were major causes for injury accidents on the study stretch. With increase in average daily traffic, severe accident frequency also increases. It was evident from this study that on rural highway, injury accidents are decreasing with increase in curvature which may be due to cautious driving behavior on curves. Grievous injuries are more in Sideswipe and skidding collisions. As far as season is concerned, severe accidents are occurring in Summer and Monsoon Season.