Citation

Dudek CL, McCasland WR, Burns EN. Transp. Res. Rec. 1988; 1173: 1-10.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

In this paper, a study of administrative, legal, and insurance issues concerning Accident Investigation Sites (AISs) in urban freeway corridors is described. The issues were identified through (a) a literature review; (b) contact with a limited number of individuals, organizations, and agencies involved in the coordination or administration of legal and insurance matters as related to traffic accidents; (c) interviews with urban freeway corridor traffic management teams; (d) contact with highway operations personnel from selected urban freeway surveillance and control systems; and (e) experiences of the authors. AISs are low-cost, specially designated and signed areas off the freeway where damaged vehicles can be moved, motorists can exchange information, and police and motorists can complete the necessary accident forms. These areas are located so that the motorists involved in the accident, the investigating police, and the tow truck operators are out of view of freeway drivers. "Rubbernecking" (and, consequently, freeway congestion) is thus reduced. Freeway congestion is also reduced because the motorists involved in property-damage-only accidents have a place where they can move their vehicles while waiting for the police investigators to arrive. Experiences with AISs in Houston, Texas, resulted in a benefit-cost ratio of 28:1 during the first year of operation. Data indicated that the potential benefit-cost ratio could be as high as 35:1, that is, $35 return for every $1 invested. The AIS concept is applicable for a variety of metropolitan area traffic management strategies. The administrative, legal, and insurance issues that must be addressed by highway and police agencies to implement and operate AISs successfully are identified and discussed.

Language: en

Keywords

Highway Accidents; Highway Systems--Service Areas; Highway Traffic Control--Emergency Measures; Urban Planning