title: Predicting reduced visibility related crashes on freeways using real-time traffic flow data.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main objective of this paper is to investigate whether real-time traffic flow data, collected from loop detectors and radar sensors on freeways, can be used to predict crashes occurring at reduced visibility conditions. In addition, it examines the difference between significant factors associated with reduced visibility related crashes to those factors correlated with crashes occurring at clear visibility conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Random Forests and matched case-control logistic regression models were estimated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings indicated that real-time traffic variables can be used to predict visibility related crashes on freeways. The results showed that about 69% of reduced visibility related crashes were correctly identified. The results also indicated that traffic flow variables leading to visibility related crashes are slightly different from those variables leading to clear visibility crashes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using time slices 5-15 minutes before crashes might provide an opportunity for the appropriate traffic management centers for a proactive intervention to reduce crash risk in real-time.
authors.affiliation: University of Central Florida, Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, Orlando, FL 32816-2450, USA.
authors.forename: Hany M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: Mohamed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Abdel-Aty
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001334:Automobile Driving; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D013997:Time Factors