Assessing the impact of reduced visibility on traffic crash risk using microscopic data and surrogate safety measures

Abstract

Due to the difficulty of obtaining accurate real-time visibility and vehicle based traffic data at the same time, there are only few research studies that addressed the impact of reduced visibility on traffic crash risk. This research was conducted based on a new visibility detection system by mounting visibility sensor arrays combined with adaptive learning modules to provide more accurate visibility detections. The vehicle-based detector, Wavetronix SmartSensor HD, was installed at the same place to collect traffic data. Reduced visibility due to fog were selected and analyzed by comparing them with clear cases to identify the differences based on several surrogate measures of safety under different visibility classes. Moreover, vehicles were divided into different types and the vehicles in different lanes were compared in order to identify whether the impact of reduced visibility due to fog on traffic crash risk varies depending on vehicle types and lanes. Log-Inverse Gaussian regression modeling was then applied to explore the relationship between time to collision and visibility together with other traffic parameters. Based on the accurate visibility and traffic data collected by the new visibility and traffic detection system, it was concluded that reduced visibility would significantly increase the traffic crash risk especially rear-end crashes and the impact on crash risk was different for different vehicle types and for different lanes. The results would be helpful to understand the change in traffic crash risk and crash contributing factors under fog conditions. We suggest implementing the algorithms in realtime and augmenting it with ITS measures such as VSL and DMS to reduce crash risk.

Examining the effect of adverse weather on road transportation using weather and traffic sensors

“…The site selected is based on an earlier report by Abdel-Aty et al [ 22 ] on I-4 in Polk County, where higher crashes related to adverse weather occurred. More information about the site can be referred to Peng et al [ 23 ]. Each adverse weather monitor system (ADMS) was installed roadside and consists of three sensors at increasing elevations beginning at one foot one inch.…”

“…As it was pointed out at the end of the conclusion and discuss section, the current conclusions of this paper are mainly based on the data collected on the highway I-4 in Polk County, Florida. Additional description about the data can be referred to Peng et al[ 23 ]. It is meaningful to collect the traffic and weather data from other types of road segments to obtain more comprehensive analysis results on the effect of adverse weather in the future.…”

Speed Guidance and Trajectory Optimization of Traffic Flow in a Low-Visibility Zone of a Highway Segment within Multiple Signalized Intersections

“…Hjelkrem and Ryeng [3] showed that low-visibility weather presented a greater risk for safe car following. Low-visibility weather can also easily lead to erroneous driver manoeuvres such as overreactions, physiological fluctuations, and psychological fluctuations, which can be reflected in driving safety [4]. Yannis et al [5] noted that accident severity increased with a reduction in visibility.…”

Compensatory model predictive control for post-impact trajectory tracking via active front steering and differential torque vectoring

“…A considerable death rate chiefly imputes secondary crashes than first impacts, shown as accident statistics in recent years. 1,2 Feeling panic-stricken in a collision, human drivers may operate the post-impact vehicle hastily and arbitrarily, particularly for inexperienced drivers. A high risk of consequent crashes can be induced easily which cause injuries and deaths.…”

“…Active front steering (AFS) and differential braking controllers were designed for stability enhancement and quick response. 1,5 Since over-actuated drive is capable of control performance improvement and active safety enhancement, it became a primary measure to eliminate yaw moment disturbance in hazardous after-collision cases. 6 Based on tracking the percussion center and tested on an Audi TTS, 5 a combined control framework was developed that a feedforward portion can function better in vehicle stabilization as the tires were approaching to physical adhesion limits.…”