Investigating the impact of pavement condition and weather characteristics on road accidents (Review paper)

Abstract

Accidents, a persistent concern on the rise over decades, contribute significantly to human fatalities, especially with the growing number of road users and extensive global road construction. A pivotal goal for transportation policymakers is reducing accident numbers and severity. This study focuses on evaluating key parameters influencing traffic safety, specifically pavement conditions and weather elements. Our findings highlight the critical role of pavement friction and roughness in accidents, with rutting during rain and night having a pronounced impact. The influence of pavement conditions on accident safety varies with road level and class. Poor pavement exacerbates single-vehicle crashes on high-speed roads but results in less severe single-vehicle and more severe multi-vehicle crashes on low-speed, low-level roads. Furthermore, the effect of pavement safety differs between two-lane and multi-lane roads. Examining weather conditions, precipitation exhibits a direct, linear relationship with accident frequency, but its effect on severity is variable, depending on multiple parameters. Fog, smoke and accidents before sunrise have heightened effects, while the impact of other climatic factors like wind speed and temperature remains undetermined. Demographic factors also play a role, with middle age identified as the safest, and accidents among older and younger individuals tend to be more severe. Additionally, accidents are more severe among women than men. Finally, the study evaluates the impact of billboards and air pollution, revealing that both contribute to increased accidents. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on the intricate interplay between pavement conditions, weather characteristics, and various demographic factors, providing valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in enhancing road safety.