Citation

Hanscom FR. Transp. Res. Rec. 1977; 623: 40-47.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1977, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper provides a state of the art overview of the human factor in skid accident causation and prevention. Available literature is summarized in two parts. First, the driver and skid potential are covered in terms of driver perception and responses in skid hazardous driving situations. Second, candidate traffic control techniques are reviewed as potential remediation techniques. The detection and appreciation of hazardous situations during wet weather conditions tends to come from knowledge of the fact that it is raining, the pavement appears wet or road alignment is changing (as on horizontal curves). Communicating potential hazards to motorists through static signing is generally ineffective; whereas flashing signals and dynamic displays and advisory speeds at such highway sites are effective in modifying control behavior and presumably in the reduction of loss of control. Specific road geometric conditions can lead to higher than accepatable frictional demands because their difficulty in negotiation is underestimated by motorists. Suggestions are made for readily implementable accident countermeasures and necessary research required for more effective countermeasure development is delineated.