ON THE ROAD. RESEARCH TO PREDICT TRUCK ACCIDENTS

A paper presented at the Transportation Research Board annual meeting described research that attempted to develop a mathematical model that could predict truck accidents based on a number of factors primarily related to the design of the roadway. The model was based on different highway types for the State of Utah using a newly developed highway safety data base from the Federal Highway Administration called 'Highway Safety Information System.' Factors used in developing the model are described. It is noted that little documentation exists that relates to the design and operation of the highway system, and that it is very difficult to perform valid research with the limitations that exist.