Reliability Analysis for Horizontal Curves with Crashes: Case Study in New Delhi, India
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems
Volume 150, Issue 9
Abstract
Road safety on horizontal curves has become a great concern due to issues related to the number of road crashes where collisions result in twice as many fatalities as on a straight segment of road. This study is an attempt to improve safety at horizontal curves. The analysis methodology consists of two parts: first, using ArcGIS software, horizontal curves with a right of way of 30, 45, and 60 m and clustering of fatal crashes were identified. The next step used a reliability theory to account for how safe the existing curve is and what the probability of failure or noncompliance will be. Analysis of the traffic crashes over the Delhi map shows that 34 curves are at high risk based on the density of crashes at curves and required road geometry parameters. It was found that, as the curve length increases, the reliability index based on stopping sight distance increases. The reliability index based on radius and superelevation increases with the radius of the curve. The increase in curve length has a much higher effect on safety performance than the curve radius in an urban area. This research will not only help in determining the unsafe curves present but also in taking appropriate measures to lower crash rates.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The research presented here is the project work in Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence, Greater Noida (India). The corresponding author confirms sole responsibility for the following: study conception and design; analysis and interpretation of results; and manuscript preparation. Ms. Akanksha helped in data collection and manual work of the analysis.
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Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems
Volume 150 • Issue 9 • September 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 20, 2023
Accepted: Mar 29, 2024
Published online: Jun 21, 2024
Published in print: Sep 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Nov 21, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Business management
- Case studies
- Curvature
- Disaster risk management
- Engineering fundamentals
- Geometry
- Highway and road management
- Highway transportation
- Highways and roads
- Infrastructure
- Mathematics
- Methodology (by type)
- Practice and Profession
- Public administration
- Public health and safety
- Research methods (by type)
- Risk management
- Safety
- Traffic accidents
- Traffic engineering
- Traffic management
- Traffic safety
- Transportation engineering
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