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This report summarizes the work performed during the second phase of a two-phase research project. The first phase focused on two main areas: freight safety and wind vulnerability, and the identification of critical infrastructure. Phase I also tackled another major but less defined task in bringing...
Motorcycle use brings increased risk to the operator simply by the nature of the vehicle. When a crash occurs, the threat of injury or death is magnified by physical exposure compared to that of other vehicle occupants. Detection and gap/speed judgments by other motorists present additional hazards to...
This document presents the application of the Highway Safety Manual (HSM) for rural local two-lane two-way highway segments in South Dakota. The calibration was based on three-year (2009-2011) crash data from 657 roadway segments constituting more than 750 miles of roadways. The calibration process includes...
Traffic crashes stem from a variety of underlying causes. Too often, the cause is risky driving whether it is speeding, running a red light, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These risk factors have all been associated with increased risk of crashes. The goal of our work is to consider...
SAFETEA-LU contains language indicating that State Department of Transportation (DOTs) will be required to address safety on local and rural roads. It is important for state, county, and city officials to cooperate in producing a comprehensive safety plan to improve statewide safety. This legislation...
The objective of this research is to investigate the injury severity of truck drivers by studying MV and SV accidents involving trucks on rural highways separately. By using multinomial logit models, the complex interactions between roadway characteristics, driver characteristics, accident characteristics...
In an attempt to predict these crashes, North Dakota driver licensing data and crash data were used to develop a sample of 20,392 teen drivers age 14 to 17. Within the first year after being licensed, these drivers sustained 317 crashes that resulted in an injury or death. The resulting logistic regression...
North Dakota consistently experiences a relatively high level of crashes and injuries on rural roads, considering lane miles and vehicle miles traveled. Approximately 55% of the state's travel, in vehicle-miles, takes place on rural roads. North Dakota fatal crash reports from 2003 to 2007 show that...
With the understanding that seat belts are a relatively low-cost safety device, and are an easy primary protection for occupants in passenger vehicles, North Dakota has chosen to continue work to measure rural roads seat belt use. The U.S. Department of Transportation works with states to measure seat...
Older drivers are a growing segment in North Dakota's driver population. The natural aging process brings about diminished visual, cognitive, and physical skills needed for driving tasks. Crash record analysis was conducted to highlight elements that may be used to reduce risk for older drivers. Results...