Agencies are seeking a better understanding of those roadway or roadside features that affect safety. The objectives of this study were to developa horizontal curve accident modification factor (AMF) for rural, four-lane divided and undivided highways and to determine if the effect of driveway density is different for horizontal curves as compared to tangent sections. Data available for use in the evaluation included 121 centerline miles of rural, four-lane highways. Negative binomial regression models were used to determine the effects of independent variables on crashes. Variables considered in developing the base models included driveway density, lane width, outside shoulder width, median width (which included inside shoulder width), median type, degree of curve, segment length, and average daily traffic. Five years (1997-2001) of driveway and segment crashes were examined. An AMF for horizontal curves was estimated and it supports a theoretical model developed in another study. Reviewing the findings with respect to driveway density revealed that the effect of driveway density is different for horizontal curves and tangents; however, the differences were relatively minor. Therefore, the driveway density AMF determined using both the horizontal curve and tangent sections is recommended.
Abstract