Examination of Truck Accidents on Urban Freeways

Examination of Truck Accidents on Urban Freeways
Author: Brian Lee Bowman
Publisher:
Total Pages: 108
Release: 1989
Genre: Tractor trailer combinations
ISBN:

The objective of this study was to determine the nature and extent of urban freeway accidents involving trucks, over 10,000 lb gross vehicle weight, and their consequences as a function of vehicle type and traffic and roadway characteristics. The study was limited to urban freeways and expressways with large total volumes (minimum 100,000 average daily traffic) and a significant percentage of large truck traffic (minimum 5%). The primary tasks involved a review of the literature, and the analysis of accident and operational data from selected urban freeway sites. A total of 2,221 verified truck accidents were included in the study occurring during 3.75 years on 46.5 miles of freeway. The study determined the characteristics of truck accidents, developed comparisons between truck and passenger vehicle accidents, and estimated the operational and economic consequences of truck accidents. An estimate of the total annual cost of urban freeway accidents was determined to be 634,000 dollars per freeway mile. Applying this estimate to the total 2,497 Interstate and freeway miles, with volumes greater than 100,000 vehicles per day, that exist nationwide results in a nationwide annual cost of 1.6 billion dollars due to truck accidents on urban freeways.

Truck Accident Countermeasures on Urban Freeways

Truck Accident Countermeasures on Urban Freeways
Author: Dan R. Middleton
Publisher:
Total Pages: 110
Release: 1994
Genre: Roads
ISBN:

In addition to fatalities and injuries resulting from truck involved accidents, excessive costs and delays caused by these accidents and incidents have prompted several operating agencies to consider various strategies to reduce the truck accident/incident problem. This study was undertaken to identify truck accident countermeasures implemented in different areas of the U.S. Issues considered when selecting countermeasures for review in this study included urban freeway volumes of 95,000 vehicles per day or higher, a significant number of trucks in the traffic stream (typically 5% or more), and countermeasures involving road design. The study omitted countermeasures directly related to the vehicle and the driver. This project included the following steps: literature search, telephone survey, and field visits to selected sites. The information collected by this project is intended to assist agencies in identifying, selecting, and implementing truck accident countermeasures. Experiences with the following truck accident countermeasures are included in the report: lane restrictions, separate truck facilities, ramp treatments, truck diversions and bans, reduction of shoulder parking, urban truck inspection stations, incident response management, differential speed limit, increased enforcement, tall barriers, and mainlane treatments.