Contributing Factors
One of the variables included in this study was collision contributing factors, using data from the New York City Police Department from Five Years (2014-2019). The following information was extracted from the NYPD dataset for the top 25 contributing factors for collisions. As indicated, human error is the top cause for collisions; however, part of the most recurrent causes are geometric design obstacles such as oversized vehicles, slippery pavement and view obstruction, and limited visibility. However, the NYPD reports do not indicate the pavement condition/roadway conditions as contributing factors.
- Driver Inattention/Distraction
- Failure to Yield Right-of-Way
- Following Too Closely
- Backing Unsafely
- Other Vehicular
- Passing or Lane Usage Improper
- Passing Too Closely
- Turning Improperly
- Unsafe Lane Changing
- Fatigued/Drowsy
- Traffic Control Disregarded
- Driver Inexperience
- Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle
- Unsafe Speed
- Alcohol Involvement
- Pavement Slippery
- Lost Consciousness
- Prescription Medication
- View Obstructed/Limited
- Oversized Vehicle
- Outside Car Distraction
- Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion
- Passenger Distraction
- Physical Disability
- Aggressive Driving/Road Rage
This crash prediction analysis reviewed the intersection contributing factors to investigate these collision causes— see appendix for contributing factors visualization. It indicates the most recurrence based on the borough and the year. Most importantly, the two factors that could be mitigated are the Slippery Pavement and view obstruction, limited visibility, and oversized vehicle.
The oversize vehicle collisions are the highest cause of crashes. As part of the analysis, the truck route was analyzed to measure the number of crashes that intersect with a truck route. This process would allow for a cross-examination of the mitigation measures and course of actions that NYC-DOT took over the course of the 5-years, based on the data collection—using the High-Risk Locations for Collision Citywide (100 Intersections)
As reflected in figure 2. 2015 and 2016, the highest number of oversized vehicle collisions is in Brooklyn's borough. (See appendix A. for visualization)
Traffic collisions are mostly caused by motorists' poor decision-making, including speeding, inability to comply, and distracted driving. However, some traffic accidents are caused by undefined attribution factors, such as poor road conditions. Poor road conditions could lead to more than an unpleasant or uncomfortable ride; roads can deteriorate to the point that they become unsafe. That includes potholes, poor road surfaces, cracked asphalt, exposed rebars, boreholes, and road fractures. The Agency performs continuous evaluation; the ratings are based on a scale from 1 to 10, and results are grouped in the following categories: Good, Fair, and Poor. According to TRIP (National Transportation Research Nonprofit) [28], every year, below-standard roads cost drivers in the New York metro area an average of almost $800 daily in wear and tear on their cars. As per the police reporting/records, the street condition is not a contributing factor causing the collision. However, as part of this analysis, it is essential to identify whether the roadway condition could be a contributing factor for collisions. To address the question of how many injuries and fatalities occur within a close distance to a poorly graded roadway, the data sources used were New York Police Department (NYPD) Collision Data Collection and Street Pavement Rating from the New York City Department of Transportation. The pavement Ratings are scaled from 1 to 10. The results are divided into the following categories:
· Good- ratings of 8 to 10
· Fair - ratings of 4 to 7
· Poor - ratings of 1 to 3
As part of the spatial analysis, a 1000-ft buffer (which is the length of the roadway segment based on the pavement ratings) was developed to obtain the number of crashes that occur within the distance of a poorly rated roadway segment. The Pavement Rating Data is recoding as roadway segments, ranging from 100ft to 1000ft, and the Collision Data is recoding as points at the intersection. The analysis studied a collision that occurred in the year 2019.
As part of the analysis, a calculation was performed to obtain the total number of motorist injuries and fatalities. This analysis also reviewed the total pedestrian fatalities and injuries with the 1,000-ft distance within proximity of a poorly rated roadway segment.
In 2019, the total number of injuries was 55,827, and 3,622 intersect with a poorly rated pavement condition; 227 total fatalities and 127 intersected with a poorly rated pavement condition. A total of 10,182 pedestrians, a 6,267 intersected with the poor rated pavement, and 123 total pedestrian fatalities and 83 intersects with a poorly rated roadway.