Safety Effects of Winter Weather: The State of Knowledge and Remaining Challenges

Abstract

In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the effects of weather on the surface transportation system. Although considerable work has been done in quantifying the effects of weather on the highway system, there is still much that remains unknown about the relationship between weather and highway system performance. This paper synthesizes the findings from some of the major efforts in this area. The review of existing studies found consistent patterns that adverse weather reduces traffic speed and increases crash frequencies, while fatal crashes are decreased. A table is then presented which estimates the change in crash frequency and vehicle travel speed resulting from various winter weather conditions, based on a synthesis of earlier work. To estimate the safety and speed adjustment factors of compacted snow, a severity index is also developed. Recognizing the lack of comparability between the results of the studies, the paper concludes with a detailed discussion of avenues for future research which could help to address some of the gaps which currently exist. These challenges include, but are no limited to: quantification of the dynamic layer, development of the relationship between pavement friction and the composition of the dynamic layer, evaluation of the effects of pavement friction on vehicle speed, and evaluation of safety effects of weather conditions above the pavement.