A classification tree based modeling approach for segment related crashes on multilane highways

Introduction

This study presents a classification tree based alternative to crash frequency analysis for analyzing crashes on mid-block segments of multilane arterials.

Method

The traditional approach of modeling counts of crashes that occur over a period of time works well for intersection crashes where each intersection itself provides a well-defined unit over which to aggregate the crash data. However, in the case of mid-block segments the crash frequency based approach requires segmentation of the arterial corridor into segments of arbitrary lengths. In this study we have used random samples of time, day of week, and location (i.e., milepost) combinations and compared them with the sample of crashes from the same arterial corridor. For crash and non-crash cases, geometric design/roadside and traffic characteristics were derived based on their milepost locations. The variables used in the analysis are non-event specific and therefore more relevant for roadway safety feature improvement programs. First classification tree model is a model comparing all crashes with the non-crash data and then four groups of crashes (rear-end, lane-change related, pedestrian, and single-vehicle/off-road crashes) are separately compared to the non-crash cases. The classification tree models provide a list of significant variables as well as a measure to classify crash from non-crash cases. ADT along with time of day/day of week are significantly related to all crash types with different groups of crashes being more likely to occur at different times.

Conclusions

From the classification performance of different models it was apparent that using non-event specific information may not be suitable for single vehicle/off-road crashes.

Impact on Industry

The study provides the safety analysis community an additional tool to assess safety without having to aggregate the corridor crash data over arbitrary segment lengths.     

Improving construction site safety through leader-based verbal safety communication

Background

The construction industry is one of the most injury-prone industries, in which production is usually prioritized over safety in daily on-site communication. Workers have an informal and oral culture of risk, in which safety is rarely openly expressed. This paper tests the effect of increasing leader-based on-site verbal safety communication on the level of safety and safety climate at construction sites. Method: A pre-post intervention-control design with five construction work gangs is carried out. Foremen in two intervention groups are coached and given bi-weekly feedback about their daily verbal safety communications with their workers. Foremen-worker verbal safety exchanges (experience sampling method, n = 1,693 interviews), construction site safety level (correct vs. incorrect, n = 22,077 single observations), and safety climate (seven dimensions, n = 105 questionnaires) are measured over a period of up to 42 weeks. Results: Baseline measurements in the two intervention and three control groups reveal that foremen speak with their workers several times a day. Workers perceive safety as part of their verbal communication with their foremen in only 6-16% of exchanges, and the levels of safety at the sites range from 70-87% (correct observations). Measurements from baseline to follow-up in the two intervention groups reveal that safety communication between foremen and workers increases significantly in one of the groups (factor 7.1 increase), and a significant yet smaller increase is found when the two intervention groups are combined (factor 4.6). Significant increases in the level of safety are seen in both intervention groups (7% and 12% increases, respectively), particularly in regards to 'access ways' and 'railings and coverings' (39% and 84% increases, respectively). Increases in safety climate are seen in only one of the intervention groups with respect to their 'attention to safety.' No significant trend changes are seen in the three control groups on any of the three measures. Conclusions: Coaching construction site foremen to include safety in their daily verbal exchanges with workers has a significantly positive and lasting effect on the level of safety, which is a proximal estimate for work-related accidents. It is recommended that future studies include coaching and feedback at all organizational levels and for all involved parties in the construction process. Building client regulations could assign the task of coaching to the client appointed safety coordinators or a manager/supervisor, and studies should measure longitudinal effects of coaching by following foremen and their work gangs from site to site.     

Road traffic injuries to foreigners in the People's Republic of China, 2000-2008

Introduction: China's rapid motorization has resulted in significant challenges in road safety. Method: Using official national statistics, this study examines road traffic injuries (RTIs) experienced by foreigners in China. The number of foreigners entering China has increased 2.4 times over the study period, from 10.16 million in 2000 to 24.33 million in 2008. Results: From 2000- 2008, the number of road traffic fatalities among foreigners similarly increased 2.5 fold, including 49 fatalities reported in 2008. Nonfatal RTIs during this same time frame increased by a magnitude of 1.8 (126 nonfatal injuries in 2000 to 223 in 2008). Conclusions: This study suggests that the total number of foreigners working or visiting China each year who suffer fatal and nonfatal road traffic injuries is relatively low. Impact on Industry: This study provided evidence suggesting that foreigners visiting or working in China face a relatively low risk of road traffic injuries.     

Effect of enhanced seat belt reminders on driver fatality risk

Objective

Enhanced seat belt reminders in automobiles have been shown to increase belt use rates by approximately 3 percentage points. The objective of this study was to estimate the effect of enhanced seat belt reminders on driver fatality risk.

Method

Data included all passenger vehicle driver deaths and vehicle registration counts in the United States for calendar years 2000-2007. Driver fatality rates per vehicle registration per year were compared for otherwise identical vehicle models with and without enhanced seat belt reminders.

Results

Driver fatality rates were 6% lower for vehicles with enhanced seat belt reminders compared with vehicles without enhanced belt reminders. After adjusting for vehicle age differences, the estimated effect of enhanced belt reminders on driver fatality risk ranged from a 9% reduction for General Motors vehicles to a 2% increase for Honda vehicles. Combining all manufacturers, enhanced belt reminders reduced fatality risk by approximately 2%. Although not statistically significant, the 2% reduction in fatality risk agrees with what should be expected from a 3 percentage point increase in seat belt use rates.

Conclusions

Enhanced seat belt reminders have raised driver belt use rates and reduced fatality rates, but more aggressive systems may be needed for some drivers. It can be inferred that nonfatal injury rates also have been reduced.

Impact on Industry

Manufacturers should be encouraged to put enhanced seat belt reminders on all vehicles as soon as possible.     

驾驶员心理特征与驾驶安全的关系研究

随着人-车-环境系统复杂性的增加和交通事故数量的上升,新型交通工具对驾驶员的要求随之提高。从人的心理与控制的关系及汽车驾驶员的心理特征出发,具体分析心理各特征因素对驾驶员的影响,在此基础上建立汽车驾驶员安全评价模型,最后提出了在考虑心理因素的前提下提高道路行车安全的具体措施。     

易燃液体仓库安全监控系统研究

通过对易燃液体仓库的潜在危险的分析和研究,以及火灾爆炸危险性分析,说明安全监控技术的重要性。在对监测参数进行分析的基础上,给出了对监测易燃液体仓库的安全监控系统和监测点的布置以及采用合适的探测器。     

机动车绿灯倒计时对交叉口交通安全的影响研究

在总结国内外研究的基础上,通过问卷调查、现场观测等方法对机动车绿灯倒计时对我国驾驶员的心理及驾驶行为进行调查,解析机动车绿灯倒计时信号对驾驶员心理与驾驶行为的影响机理,研究结果显示机动车绿灯倒计时既不利于交叉口的交通安全,又降低了通行效率,因此得出应谨慎使用机动车绿灯倒计时的结论。同时建议采取道路交通安全法中对黄灯的含义进行修改,并在闯红灯抓拍系统中增设闯黄灯超速自动抓拍功能,以减少信号过渡期间超速抢灯现象的发生,保障交叉口的交通安全。     

桥梁建设的安全重心——架桥机安全运行探讨

对铁路、公路桥梁建设中使用的关键设备——架桥机事故及安全隐患进行统计、总结,结合架桥机的结构特点、现场环境、使用状况进行安全使用管理分析。阐明对结构复杂、作业环境差、操作繁琐的机电液一体化的大型设备——架桥机现场操作安全管理的核心是各操作步骤中对安全状况的检查确认;在架桥机安全使用条件、操作人员、安全检查、安全试验等方面提出要求,对架桥机吊梁、过孔、变跨、收尾、维护保养等作业过程的安全操作进行规范,指出对架桥机现场施工科学安全监督管理的内容,全面、系统地完善架桥机安全使用管理体系。     

PSA中人因失误模型化研究

主要研究PSA模型如何考虑人因失误的影响,系统地提出如何在电厂系统模型中建立相对应的人因失误分析模型。利用事件树把系统故障和人因失误相结合的方法,探讨如何最大可能地真实描述事故后的操纵员行为,确定重要人因事件发展序列以及根据系统响应确定合理可分析的人因题头,建立完整的人因失误模型化的体系,并以实例说明具体分析过程。此项研究能够较好地描述硬件可靠性和人因可靠性之间的关联关系,降低HRA出力并满足PSA对于事故后人员行为的概率分析需求。     

基于PDCA理论创建矿山安全标准化系统的研究

简要介绍PDCA循环的基本定义、基本原理、特点、运行模式。结合某露天矿山实例,将PDCA循环与矿山安全标准化创建工作相结合,提出创建矿山安全标准化系统的方法及过程。结果表明,PDCA能简化创建矿山安全标准化系统的核心程序,使标准化系统更加易于掌控。希望能对准备建立或正在实施矿山安全标准化系统的企业起到一些借鉴作用。