Without exception, previous research has found that streets with no parking are safer than similar streets with parking. But the common conclusion of many studies, that parallel parking is safer than angle parking, has been questioned by some researchers, particularly in regard to low-angle parking. The objective of this study was to determine the safest type of parking on urban sections of the state highway system in nebraska. The accident experience on the urban sections of the state highway system with parking was analyzed. Results of the analysis were used to identify the safest type of parking over the range of traffic, roadway, and land use conditions on the urban system. The accident analysis indicated that (a) parking results in accidents on urban streets, (b) the type of parking affects highway safety even when parking use, land use, and type of roadway are taken into account, (c) the safest type of parking on urban streets is parallel parking, and (d) low-angle parking may be safer than high-angle parking, but it is not as safe as parallel parking. Thus, whenever feasible, parking should not be allowed on urban sections of the state highway system. However, when parking must be allowed, consideration should be given to using parallel parking instead of angleparking.
Abstract