MPC
Research Projects (2004-05)

Identifying Number

MPC-254

Project Title

Utah Intersection Safety: Issues, Contributing Factors and Mitigations

University

University of Utah

Project Investigator

Wayne D. Cottrell
Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Utah
wcottrel@eng.utah.edu

External Project Contact

Stan Burns
Utah Department of Transportation
sburns@utah.gov

Project Objective

The objectives of the project are to identify intersections at which crashes have recurred during a (to-be-determined) designated study period, rank the intersections according to crash totals and severity scores, determine the contributing factors, review the literature and state-of-the-practice on intersection safety measures and their effectiveness, and develop a draft intersection safety plan for the Utah Department of Transportation.

Project Abstract

The Federal Highway Administration has assigned one of its four high priority levels to the improvement of intersection safety. In response to the National Agenda for Intersection Safety, and to address burgeoning concerns, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is seeking to develop an intersection safety plan.UDOT has initiated this effort by developing a computerized database of intersection locations along state-owned roads. UDOT has supplemented this database by linking the intersections to their corresponding motor vehicle crashes. This study will use this data to identify high-crash intersections. The contributing factors in these crashes are to be identified using the crash records system and, possibly, police accident reports and field investigations. Literature and state-of-the-practice reviews of intersection safety countermeasures and their effectiveness will be conducted; the purpose of these reviews will be to identify appropriate mitigating strategies. The final product of the study will be a draft intersection safety plan for UDOT.

Task Descriptions

1. Identify intersections at which crashes have recurred during the study period; potentially "rank" the intersections according to the number of crashes or crash severity "scores."
2. Select the "worst" intersections, as identified in the preceding step, for further analysis.
3. Early on, produce an interim list of the "worst" intersections in the state, based on criteria developed during Tasks 1 and 2.
4. Determine from the crash records system, and possibly from police accident reports and field visits, the contributing factors common to the incidents that occurred at the "worst" intersections.
5. Review the literature on intersection safety measures that have been used to mitigate the contributing factors.
6. Review the state-of-the-practice in Utah on the intersection safety measures identified in the preceding step.
7. Review the literature and local practice on the effectiveness of the countermeasures.
8. Develop a draft intersection safety plan that UDOT might consider for implementation following review and internal refinement.
9. Meet with the project's technical advisory committee (TAC) periodically to present the findings to date, obtain feedback, and strategize the efforts for the remainder of the project.
10. Maintain interim contact with key TAC members, in addition to TAC meetings, for the duration of the project.

Milestones, Dates

Starting Date: November 1, 2004
Ending Date: June 30, 2005

Yearly and Total Budget

$30,000

Student Involvement

One graduate research assistant

Relationship to Other Research Projects

The project will be a transportation safety study, conducted in a similar vein as preceding UDOT-sponsored pedestrian safety studies conducted by the project investigator. The study represents a continuing relationship between the University of Utah and the UDOT Traffic and Safety Division.

Technology Transfer Activities

Data sharing; database development

Potential Benefits of the Project

Enhanced understanding of intersection safety issues; potential for safety improvements at intersection; additional intersection safety research needs may be identified; publications and related research products should be possible.

TRB Keywords

Intersection operations, intersection safety, traffic control, driver behavior, safety management, traffic signal timing, automated enforcement, motor vehicle crash statistics