Citation

Cantili EJ. Highw. Res. Board bull. 1959; 208: 29-34.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1959, National Research Council (U.S.A.), Highway Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A scale of numerical values is applied to traffic accidents. A number is assigned to each accident consistent with the severity of the property damage or human injury involved. A scale is set up which is based upon monetary damage values and american standard injury classifications currently used in industrial injury study. The scale was applied to 1,253 accidents at the lincoln tunnel during 1953, 1954, and 1955. Accident severity is compared on a monthly, daily, and hourly basis with accident frequency, accident rate and vehicular volume to determine the relationship of severity to other variables. Severity is compared with accident rate on the basis of weather, road, and light conditions. The results are: (1) severity as a monthly, daily, or hourly pattern does not in general follow the movements of accident frequency or accident rate. (2) severity of accidents increases with a decrease of natural light. (3) severity increases with poor road conditions and also with bad weather.