Analysis of Midblock Crashes in an Urban Divided Arterial Road

Abstract

This study analyzes the crashes that occur at midblock called “midblock crashes” in an urban arterial road. The association of midblock crashes with various factors was examined using the 7-year (2000–2006) crash data on a section of a divided arterial road in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. To account for difference in traffic volume and road geometric factors between two directions of travel in a divided road, the data were collected for two directions separately. The results of log-linear models using these bidirectional data show that midblock crashes are more likely to occur on the road sections with access points and high percentage of trucks (>20%). The results of logistic regression models show that median opening, driver age/gender, lighting, time of day, and day of week are associated with different types of crashes classified by the vehicles involved in crashes. The study shows the importance of analyzing midblock crashes using the bidirectional data by vehicle type in urban divided arterial roads with high truck volume.