The primary purpose of conducting this special research project for the Florida Department of Transportation was to determine whether the percent of 1998 Florida traffic crashes noting a contributing condition could serve as a reliable Department performance indicator for measuring safety on the State Highway System (SHS). As defined by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, roadway conditions include such factors as standing water; loose surface materials; holes, ruts, and unsafe paved edges; and worn or polished roadway surfaces. Design conditions or defects are not included. It was found that no one such relationship could be established. Thus, there is no strategic issue present with regard to roadway conditions as contributing factors in Florida traffic crashes. In addition, the use of this data element in its current form was found unsuitable as a measure for the Department to use when gauging its safety performance with regard to the SHS. Recommendations are offered for potential corrective actions when attempting to address issues related to using roadway conditions as a performance measure to improve motorist safety on the SHS.
Abstract