Pavement Friction in a Program to Reduce Wet Weather Traffic Accidents at the Network Level

Abstract

Approximately 20% of all traffic accidents occur in wet weather conditions. Pavement surface problems, such as lack of skid resistance, probably contributed to a portion of those vehicle accidents on wet pavements. An approach for reducing wet weather accidents was developed. The main feature of the proposed approach is that it uses data from both automated accident and skid data files. The contents of both skid number (SN) and accident files were studied. The related parameters in the skid file were selected, including the skid number, and a group of accident parameters was defined. The skid and accident files were merged to allow for developing a program that identifies “high-risk” locations for treatment. Such locations are expected not only to have high wet weather accidents but also to have experienced a critical number of wet weather accidents. An example is used to illustrate the functionality and effectiveness of the proposed approach and the associated computer program. Accident history was obtained on approximately 500 rural two-lane highway sections over a 3-year period. The total traffic accidents involved was approximately 36,000. A criterion to estimate possible risks was developed, and a system of priority ratings, based on economic analysis, was established to assist in the process of selecting slippery highway sections for maintenance, permitting available funds to be allocated optimally.