Analysis of vehicle crash fatality due to pavement edge drop-off

Abstract

Unsafe roadway edge drop-offs cause vehicle crashes. Many run-off-road collisions are the result of pavement edge drop-offs which causes 4,000 fatalities and costs $40 Billion annually in USA. The true extent of the problem is difficult to assess because the role of the hazardous pavement edge drop-off leading to a crash often is not documented. In addition, tort liability claims resulting from pavement edge drop-offs cost highway agencies millions each year. Pavement edge drop-offs are potential safety hazards as they can reduce vehicle stability and impede a driver's ability to handle a vehicle. Drop-offs can occur between a paved travel way and an unpaved shoulder, between two paved travel lanes, or between a paved shoulder and an adjacent surface. Pavement edge drop-off on highways has been linked to many serious crashes especially in rural roadways. Number of all rural crashes, rural fatalities, edge drop-off crashes and fatalities for the state of Alabama has been analyzed and quantified in this paper. Fatality due to pavement edge drop-off is significantly high and safety measures should be taken to prevent these fatal crashes. Language: en