Engineering Commons^™

Analysis Of Possible Causes Of Industrial Injuries And Accidents At Coal Industry Enterprises, F U. Otabekov, M Z. Naimova

Technical science and innovation

In this article, the issues that a person may face unfortunate events due to a certain reason due to the influence of various dangerous and harmful factors in the course of his life activities are resolved. Depending on the type and degree of exposure or the cause of the accident, the type and degree of injury may also vary. In most cases, injuries and damages occur suddenly and can lead to unexpected and unexpected consequences. Let's imagine that an unfortunate event happened by chance. In this situation, many people lose their senses, start to panic, hurry, become overly nervous or …

Intersection Illumination – Collision Correlation: How Does Street Lighting Affect Roadway Safety?, Josh R. Pinchek

Aurora

Understanding the relationship between roadway intersection safety and street lighting is essential to developing effective intersection lighting standards. This study uses data from the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Accident Databases (1 million+ accidents over 10 years) to explore the relationship between street lamps and accident occurrence via comparative statistics. Accident occurrence ratios, calculated based upon seasonally categorized, time-matched accident data are compared and reported with and without artificial lighting as a variable.

The results of the study indicate that artificial lighting is an important factor on accident rate occurrence via a correlation between lighting and roadway safety, guiding the …

Improvement Of Fatal Crash Analysis And Follow-Up, William Nicholas Staats, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent, Paul A. Ross

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Executive Summary

Fatalities resulting from traffic crashes in Kentucky increased from a low of 638 in 2013 to 834 in 2016 (a 31% increase), and there is not a full understanding of the underlying causes for this trend. This study analyzes fatal crashes using data from both Kentucky’s crash reports and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) to identify countermeasures to combat increasing fatal crash rates. In addition, this study compares Kentucky’s crash reports to the fatal crash data in FARS to identify data inconsistencies and recommend procedures to eliminate these inconsistencies.

Emphasis was …

U.S. Construction Worker Fall Accidents: Their Causes And Influential Factors, Sohaib Siddiqui

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate the main causes of fall accidents and, to pinpoint the factors that influence the risk of falls in the U.S. construction industry. This study employed the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to examine 9,141 fall accidents, recorded for the period of last 20 years. The results show that specialty trade contractors working on low-budget, residential housing and commercial building projects are more susceptible to fall accidents. In terms of fall height, 85% of the fall accidents occurred on heights less than 30 ft., …

Construction Work Zone Safety, Christopher Ryan Huebschman, Camilo Garcia, Darcy M. Bullock, Dulcy M. Abraham

Darcy M Bullock

The need of maintaining safety of motorists and workers during periods of construction activities on interstates has prompted the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to initiate a study aimed at improving the safety in work zones on rural interstates. The two main objectives of the project are 1) determine if active warning devices or improved signing have an impact in work zone safety and 2) determine if it is appropriate to consider temporary roads and bridges during construction activity on interstates in an effort to maintain two lanes open at all times. This report describes the methods used to meet …

Traffic Signals In School Zones, Kevin S. Lee, Darcy M. Bullock

Darcy M Bullock

Traffic signals are used to control the right of way at intersections. Strict engineering guidelines are published in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) that engineers use to determine if a traffic signal is “warranted”. The warrants provide consistent national balance between mobility, safety, efficiency, and costs. However, signalized intersections are often viewed by the general public as safer then unsignalized intersections. This belief is often heightened when there are personal injuries and even higher when children are involved. Parents, city officials, and local interest groups often vigorously request the installation of a traffic signal. After these requests …

Safety Issues Among Hispanic Construction Workers Along The Wasatch Front In Utah, Phavel Israel Loayza Chahuayo

Theses and Dissertations

During the last few decades immigration by foreigners seeking work in the construction industry in the United States has increased dramatically. Of those seeking jobs in construction, Hispanics represent the largest and fastest growing population. The proportion of reportable accidents among Hispanic on-site construction workers in the United States is higher than that of non-Hispanics. This trend of on-site construction accidents is evident not only in states that have traditionally high populations of Hispanics, such as New York, Florida, California, Arizona, and Texas, it is also manifested in the State of Utah. This research focused on causes of accidents among …

A Framework For Developing And Integrating Effective Routing Strategies Within The Emergency Decision Support System, Joseph W. Yu

Master's Theses

In recent years transportation professionals have shown increasing interest in evacuation planning. With the advances in computing technologies it is possible to simulate urban transportation networks with great detail. These details from the traffic simulation model can be used for devising strategies for evacuation and emergency response in case of a disaster.

This thesis describes the modeling, calibration, and validation of the VISSIM traffic simulation model coded for downtown San Jose. The network is then used to test various evacuation scenarios to assess evacuation strategies that would be effective in case of a human-caused disaster.

The network modeled in the …

Evaluating The Cost-Effectiveness Of Roadside Culvert Treatments, Francisco Daniel B. De Albuquerque, Dean L. Sicking, Ronald K. Faller, Karla A. Lechtenberg

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Roadside cross-drainage culverts have been found to affect vehicle accident injury levels. As a result, highway designers have commonly used three safety treatments to protect errant motorists from striking culvert openings. These safety treatments have included: culvert extension, guardrail installation, and the application of safety grating. However, the identification of the most appropriate safety treatment for roadside culverts may be challenging; accident costs may dramatically change under different road and traffic characteristics. The purpose of this study was to estimate accident costs for a wide range of road and traffic scenarios and then define the safest treatment (i.e., treatment with …

Slides: The Costs And Benefits Of Best Management Practices: Insights From The Marcellus Shale, Timothy J. Considine

Best Management Practices (BMPs): What? How? And Why? (May 26)

Presenter: Timothy J. Considine, School of Energy Resources, Department of Economics and Finance, University of Wyoming

15 slides

Modeling Roadside Safety Hazards To Predict Annual Crash Cost To Encroaching Vehicles In Rural Road Networks, Isidro Delgado

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Roadside crashes account for a large portion of total fatal crashes that occur annually in the United States. About 30% of those fatalities are the result of single vehicle run-off-road crashes. A large proportion of these fatal crashes occur in rural roads when vehicles depart from the travel lane and collide with trees or other roadside safety hazards. Many of these run-off-road accidents occur in local roads that carry traffic volumes between 1,000 and 20,000 vehicles per day. Many of these roads are part of the jurisdiction of county authorities faced with the dilemma of having too many "potentially dangerous" …

Investigation Of The Effective Use Of Warning Lights On Indiana Department Of Transportation (Indot) Vehicles And Equipment, Bob Mccullouch, Brandon Stevens

JTRP Technical Reports

This study was requested by INDOT to determine if current lighting packages used on INDOT maintenance vehicles, specifically snow plow vehicles, can be improved with other commercially available products. Different light products were obtained from various vendors, mounted on INDOT vehicles, and visual comparisons were performed under various lighting and weather conditions by a team of observers. The comparison evaluations were performed revealing that other light packages, LED models for most options, were brighter and certain colors more visible. The preferred light models are recommended. These recommendations were forwarded to appropriate individuals that make these decisions at INDOT. Implementation is …

Use Of Reflective Armbands To Improve Adolescent Pedestrian And Pedalcyclist Safety, Nancy Dunaway, Eric R. Green, Jerry G. Pigman, Monica L. Barrett

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this effort was to determine if elementary and middle school students could be educated to use reflective armbands to increase their visibility to motorists while walking or bicycling to school. The number of armbands and surveys distributed totaled slightly over 7,000. Responses were received from approximately 12 percent (873) of the pre-surveys and slightly over 3 percent (119) of the post-surveys. Respondents to the survey indicated nearly 15 percent of schoolchildren receiving reflective armbands were wearing the armband “every day” or “most days”. Of the parents responding, 21 percent indicated their children would continue to wear the …

Evaluation Of Methods To Limit The Time Taken To Investigate Crash Sites, Jennifer R. Walton, Monica L. Barrett, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Highway crashes have significant direct and indirect costs associated with them. Substantial sources of indirect costs are the congestion and delays that result from lane blockages or road closures while the crash is being investigated and the site cleared. In many cases, vehicles could be moved and roadways reopened very quickly, but this does not occur because of the need (or perceived need) to conduct a detailed investigation of the crash scene. The objective of this study was to identify opportunities to reduce the time required to investigate and clear crash scenes. This project includes a review of state and …

Development Of Kentucky’S Highway Incident Management Strategic Plan, Monica L. Barrett, Joseph D. Crabtree, Jerry G. Pigman, Jennifer R. Walton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Even though Kentucky has undertaken many initiatives to improve specific aspects of incident management, there has never been a plan that establishes an overall framework for a systematic, statewide, multi-agency effort to improve the management of highway incidents. The objective of this project was to develop a strategic plan that provides a vision and strategy for significantly improving all aspects of incident management. This report identifies the current and best practices for highway incident management in the United States and in Kentucky and establishes a vision for the future of highway incident management in Kentucky. The Plan developed through the …

Kentucky’S Highway Incident Management Strategic Plan, Monica L. Barrett, Joseph D. Crabtree, Jerry G. Pigman, Jennifer R. Walton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Kentucky ’s Highway Incident Management Strategic Plan consists of a mission statement, 4 goals, 16 objectives, and 49 action strategies. The action strategies are arranged by priority and recommended time frame for implementation. When implemented, the action strategies will help Kentucky achieve its primary goals for incident management: 1) improved safety of responders, highway workers, and motorists; 2) reduced traffic delay; 3) improved motorist awareness; and 4) improved responder and highway worker preparedness.

Crash Rates At Intersections, Eric R. Green, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to develop a database of intersections, match traffic crashes to these intersections, calculate crash rates for various types of intersections, and identify intersections with the highest crash rates. A procedure was used to: a) identify intersections, b) assign crashes to these intersections, c) determine entering traffic volume, d) calculate a crash rate for each intersection, and e) calculate a critical rate factor (CRF) for each intersection.

About 7,000 intersections were identified with almost 19,000 crashes related to these intersections for the three-year period of 2000 through 2002. The analysis identified 428 intersections that had …

Highway Crash Site Management, Monica L. Barrett, Jennifer R. Walton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Traveler delay is the problem most often associated with highway crashes, but by far the most serious problem is the resulting secondary crashes that occur. Another related issue is the danger posed to response personnel serving the public at the scene of a crash. The longer a crash is in place, the longer the responders are vulnerable and exposed to injury.

The Kentucky Transportation Center, in cooperation with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, developed a checklist and interagency workshop to address ways to secure and coordinate the resources necessary to restore the roadway’s operation in a safe and timely manner. The …

Traffic Signals In School Zones, Kevin S. Lee, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Technical Reports

Traffic signals are used to control the right of way at intersections. Strict engineering guidelines are published in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) that engineers use to determine if a traffic signal is “warranted”. The warrants provide consistent national balance between mobility, safety, efficiency, and costs. However, signalized intersections are often viewed by the general public as safer then unsignalized intersections. This belief is often heightened when there are personal injuries and even higher when children are involved. Parents, city officials, and local interest groups often vigorously request the installation of a traffic signal. After these requests …

Construction Work Zone Safety, Christopher Ryan Huebschman, Camilo Garcia, Darcy M. Bullock, Dulcy M. Abraham

JTRP Technical Reports

The need of maintaining safety of motorists and workers during periods of construction activities on interstates has prompted the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to initiate a study aimed at improving the safety in work zones on rural interstates. The two main objectives of the project are 1) determine if active warning devices or improved signing have an impact in work zone safety and 2) determine if it is appropriate to consider temporary roads and bridges during construction activity on interstates in an effort to maintain two lanes open at all times. This report describes the methods used to meet …

A Method For Modeling Low-Probability, High- Consequence Risk Events: Vessel Traffic On The Lower Mississippi River, George Wooddell, Robert Gramling, Craig J. Forsyth

The University of New Hampshire Law Review

[Excerpt] "A variety of commodities, from chlorine to corn and petroleum to passengers, are transported on the lower Mississippi River regularly. Corn, wheat and coal are the most commonly carried commodities. From a human health and safety perspective, these are relatively benign products in that a vessel accident and spill of these are not directly hazardous to people, whatever other ecological disturbances may ensue. However, over eighty million tons of petroleum products are transported on the river annually. Over a million tons of liquid natural gas traverse the river through the center of New Orleans. Additionally, over 400,000 tons of …

Guidelines For The Installation Of Left-Turn Phasing, Kenneth R. Agent, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Bryan Dyer

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to update the guidelines to be considered when determining whether left-turn phasing should be used and the appropriate type at phasing to use. Emphasis was placed on high speed areas.

There were 264 intersections included in the study with data obtained tor 518 approaches at these intersections. The data included accidents and characteristics at the intersection. Traffic conflict data were collected. Simulation models were used to estimate delays.

Recommendations were made concerning guidelines to consider when deciding whether to install left turn phasing and whether to use protected-only or protected/permitted phasing. Variables considered included …

Development Of A Safety Management System, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Safety Management System (SMS) is one of six management systems mandated by Section 1 034 of the 1991 lntermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). The overall goal of a SMS is to reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes. lt is to be comprehensive in that it incorporates all public roads and all contributing factors associated with the driver, the vehicle, and the roadway. The objective of this study was to develop a procedure to implement a SMS for Kentucky. A recommended process is described. Agencies and organizations were identified which have a role or interest in traffic …

Analysis Of Alcohol And Speed Related Traffic Accidents In Fayette County, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

One objective of this study was to update the statistics related to alcohol-related accidents and arrests In Fayette County. The second objective was to include an analysis of speed-related accidents and citations.

The number of alcohol-related accidents in Fayette County has decreased over the past several years. The number of speed-related accidents has remained relatively constant Differences between the characteristics of all accidents and alcohol and speed-related accidents were noted. For example, there were higher percentages of alcohol and speed-related accidents involving a fixed object. Differences in driver characteristics, such as the high percentage of drivers in the 16 to …

Evaluation Of The Lexington-Fayette County Safety Belt Ordinance, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A mandatory safety belt ordinance was enacted in Fayette County with an effective date of July 1, 1990. One objective of this study was to conduct usage surveys after the ordinance had been in effect for approximately three years. This would allow comparisons to be made of safety belt usage before and immediately after the effective date of the ordinance to that found a substantial time period after enactment of the ordinance. A second objective of the study was to compere accident data before and after the ordinance became effective. The would allow an analysis of the effect the ordinance …

Route Fatality Risk As A Measure Of Travel Death Risk, Kopl Halperin, Jim Redman

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

The authors examine the route fatality Risk of routes in Erie County, PA and show that some pose a disproportionately high-Risk to users. They argue that transportation safety could be greatly increased by relatively small expenditures and suggest that the most cost-effective Risk amelioration is speed limit control.

Performance Of A Modified Turned-Down Guardrail End Treatment In Traffic Accidents, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to report the results of the continued monitoring of the performance of the modified turned-down guardrail end treatment (Type 7) in traffic accidents. Data for a total of 67 accidents involving the modified turned-down guardrail end treatment were identified. Performance was classified as proper in 51 of the 61 accidents (84 percent) in which it was determined. In the majority of the accidents in which proper performance occurred, the vehicle either traveled onto the top at the guardrail beyond the breakaway section or broke through the breakaway posts and proceeded behind the guardrail.

The …

Youth Needs And Assessment Survey, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The characteristics of traffic accidents involving teenage (16 to 19 years of age) drivers are summarized in this report and compared to all accidents. This was accomplished through an analysis of statewide accident data for a three-year period (1989 through 1991). Counties having the highest overrepresentation of accidents involving teenage drivers were identified. The status of highway safety programs currently in place in school districts in Kentucky is presented. A survey was sent to 182 school districts in Kentucky with a 64 percent response rate obtained. Relevant literature was reviewed, and summary statements are given in the Appendix. This summary …

Performance Of Guardrail End Treatments In Traffic Accidents, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to report the results of the continued monitoring of the performance of guardrail end treatments in traffic accidents. This report includes an analysis of accidents involving the breakaway-cable-terminal (BCT), Kentucky's version of the median BCT (MBCT), Kentucky's weakened turned down (Type 7), the Crash Cushion Attenuating Terminal (CAT), and the Breakmaster System. The report includes data for 349 accidents. This includes 232 accidents involving a BCT, 66 accidents involving a MBCT, 37 accidents involving the Type 7 turned-down end treatment, 12 accidents involving the CAT, and 2 accidents involving the Breakmaster.

Considering all accidents, …

Impact Evaluation Of The Louisville-Shively-Jefferson County Traffic Alcohol Programs, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent, Patricia L. Hardyman, Knowlton W. Johnson, Richard Mccleary

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report is an evaluation of alcohol enforcement programs conducted by the Louisville, Jefferson County, and Shively police agencies in the Louisville metropolitan area. The following four types of data were collected in order to evaluate the traffic alcohol programs; accident data, arrest and adjudication data, cost-effectiveness, and public opinion data.

Results from the before-and-after comparisons and time-series analysis show alcohol-related accidents decreased significantly during the study period, There was a 34.4 percent reduction in alcohol-related accidents during hours of special enforcement and a 30.4 percent reduction during all hours of the day. Time-series analysis of accident data showed a …