title: Influence of pavement condition on horizontal curve safety.
abstract: Crash statistics suggest that horizontal curves are the most vulnerable sites for crash occurrence. These crashes are often severe and many involve at least some level of injury due to the nature of the collisions. Ensuring the desired pavement surface condition is one potentially effective strategy to reduce the occurrence of severe accidents on horizontal curves. This study sought to develop crash injury severity models by integrating crash and pavement surface condition databases. It focuses on developing a causal relationship between pavement condition indices and severity level of crashes occurring on two-lane horizontal curves in Texas. In addition, it examines the suitability of the existing Skid Index for safety maintenance of two-lane curves. Significant correlation is evident between pavement condition and crash injury severity on two-lane undivided horizontal curves in Texas. Probability of a crash becoming fatal is appreciably sensitive to certain pavement indices. Data suggested that road facilities providing a smoother and more comfortable ride are vulnerable to severe crashes on horizontal curves. In addition, the study found that longitudinal skid measurement barely correlates with injury severity of crashes occurring on curved portions. The study recommends exploring the option of incorporating lateral friction measurement into Pavement Management System (PMS) databases specifically at curved road segments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, ECJ Bldg., Ste. 6.506, C1761, Austin, TX 78712, USA. sivaramroyal@gmail.com
authors.forename: Prasad
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Buddhavarapu
authors.forename: Ambarish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.forename: Jorge A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Prozzi
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D017276:Friction; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011336:Probability; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012449:Safety / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013781:Texas