In this research it is proposed to identify and define the roadway elements which are statistically correlated with accident occurrence and then to evaluate each element's relative merit as an index of prediction. Variables whose effect on the accidents is to be considered, are: average daily traffic (adt), length of highway section, pavement width, shoulder width, horizontal curvature, vertical clearance under the structures and restricted sight distance. This study will include the data on all two-lane, two-way highways maintained by the state of connecticut. The reason for considering only two-lane facilities is that these are the types of urban streets and rural highways which require improvements. It is hoped that the recommendations made as a result of this research will help the highway engineers in the prediction of accident rates in relation to roadway and traffic conditions in this and other states having similar traffic and roadway characteristics, thus resulting in the design of safer facilities.
Abstract