Factors Affecting Severity Level in Speed-Related Crashes and in Identification of Crashes Involving Exceeding Maximum Safe Travel Speed

This research investigates factors that influence severity of speed-related crashes on mainline roadway segments, with a particular emphasis on comparing single-vehicle and multiple-vehicle incidents and distinguishing between crashes involving legal speed limit violations and those exceeding the maximum safe travel speed as determined by law enforcement. Additionally, it examines significant factors related to classifying a crash as exceeding the maximum safe travel speed. Using crash data from the Traffic Records Electronic Data System (TREDS) for Virginia for 2023, the research employs both Ordinal and Nominal Logistic Regression models for analysis. The findings reveal that higher vehicle speeds before a crash significantly increase crash severity level across all scenarios. Rain and snow/sleet weather conditions exhibit significant impacts on crash outcomes, with adverse conditions often leading to increased severity levels. Roadway characteristics in terms of presence of medians and road surface conditions, are also found to be significant, as are. the driver-related factors of age, safety equipment used, EMS transport after the crash, and vehicle type. The study's comparative analysis between single and multiple vehicles speeding crashes, as well as speeding beyond legal limits and exceeding maximum safe travel speed highlights the contextual differences in crash severity determinants. The findings on classifying crashes as exceeding maximum safe travel speed highlight conditions that influence this designation as well as factors that can lead to inconsistencies in that classification. For example, environmental conditions like rain or snow, certain crash types, and work zone crashes may result in subjective assessments rather than objective determinations. The research offers valuable insights for informing targeted road safety strategies within the Safe System framework – targeted at reducing the severity of speed-related crashes for mainline road segments. The findings support implementing comprehensive strategies that address the complex interplay of speed, road conditions, vehicle characteristics, and driver factors in mitigating crash severity.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Tanim, Md Fardeen

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Hancock, Kathleen

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Katz, Bryan J.
• Hotle, Susan

• Speeding Crashes
• Crash Severity Analysis
• Safe System Framework
• Safety Interventions

Statement dc:rights

• Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:41358

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/121047