Regression Tree Analysis of Crash Severity Related to Work Zones in Ohio

• Activity Number: 525 - Contributed Poster Presentations: Transportation Statistics Interest Group
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 2, 2017 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Transportation Statistics Interest Group
• Author(s): Peter Hovey* and Deogratias Eustace and Ibrahim Alfallaj
• Companies: University of Dayton and University of Dayton and Kansas State University
• Keywords: HIghway work zones ; Crash Severity

Abstract

A work zone is defined as an area of a traffic way with highway construction, maintenance or utility-work activities. Due to the annual growth of vehicle travel and to the aging of our streets and highways, pavement repair and rehabilitation projects are inevitable. As a result, the presence of work zones has created traffic congestion and increased crash risks. A total of 169 fatalities occurred in Ohio's work zones in the period of 2002-2011, and the highest number of fatal crashes occurred from 2009 to 2011. The current study investigated main factors that contribute to crash severity in work zone areas in the state of Ohio. The classification tree modeling was used in analyzing these factors by utilizing Ohio's 5-year crash data, from 2008 to 2012. The results show that that collision type, work zone crash type, motorcycle related, vehicle type, posted speed limit, speed related, and alcohol related are the most influential factors of crash severity in a work zone area.