Assessing the impacts of signal coordination on the crash risks of various driving cohorts. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Guopeng; Fan, Yingfei; Jiang, Xinguo; Fan, Wenbo; Meng, Teng; Xu, Mengqing
• Is Part Of: Journal of safety research. Volume 70(2019)
• Page Start: 79
• Page End: 87
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: Signal coordination -- Crash propensity -- Quasi-induced exposure -- Relative crash involvement ratio -- Driving cohorts; Industrial safety -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Safety -- Periodicals; Accidents, Occupational -- Periodicals; Sécurité du travail -- Périodiques; Accidents -- Prévention -- Périodiques; Accidents -- Prevention; Industrial safety; Periodicals; 363.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2019.05.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4375

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction : Signal coordination has been wildly implemented on urban arterials to improve traffic efficiency. The impacts of signal coordination on traffic safety, however, are largely overlooked, particularly on crash propensities of driver–vehicle cohorts, which will vary due to changing traffic flow patterns. Method : The paper aims to compare crash risks of various driving cohorts (measured by relative crash involvement ratio) on arterials with and without signal coordination with quasi-induced exposure technique, which has been well developed in estimating crash risks for driver–vehicle characteristics (i.e., driver age, gender, and vehicle type). Michigan traffic crash data (2000–2014) are retrieved for the case study. Results : The results indicate that: (a) when signal coordination is implemented, young, male drivers, and pickups are associated with more crash responsibilities; (b) crash propensities vary for different disaggregated situations, e.g., young drivers may experience the rapid increase in crash risks during the peak hours; and (c) more hazardous actions (e.g., failing to stop in assured clear distance) are witnessed for the high-risk driving cohorts on the coordinated arterials than non-coordinated ones. Conclusions and practical applications: The findings highlight the importance of safety impact analysis of signal coordination, and serve to guide the potential improvements of safety operation and management of signal coordinated arterials. Highlights: Male, young drivers, and pickups are associated with more crash risks with the implementation of signal coordination. The crash propensities of driving cohorts show great diversities among various disaggregated levels. The proportions of various hazardous actions show difference with the change of signal control mode.