This paper has been mechanically scanned. Some errors may have been inadvertently introduced. CALIFORNIA PATH PROGRAM INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORTATION STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY Light Rail System Safety Improvements Using ITS Technologies Ted Chira-Chavala, Ben Coifman, Dan Empey, Mark Hansen, Ed Lechner, Chris Porter California PATH Research Report UCB-ITS-PRR-97-39 This work was performed as part of the California PATH Program of the University of California, in cooperation with the State of California Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency, Department of Transportation; and the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the State of California. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Report for MOU 123, RTA65V5 18 November 1997 ISSN 1055-1425 Light Rail System Safety Improvements Using ITS Technologies Ted Chira-Chavala, Ben Coifman, Dan Empey, Mark Hansen, Ed Lechner, Chris Porter TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Project Background and Motivation ..................................................................... 1 1.2 Project Overview ................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Report Organization ............................................................................................ 2 Chapter 2. Accident Analysis ........................................................................................ 4 2.1 Objective ............................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Background ......................................................................................................... 4 2.2.1 Right-of-way .............................................................................................. 4 2.2.1.1 Freeway Median ................................................................................. 4 2.2.1.2 Arterial Median .................................................................................. 5 2.2.1.3 The Transit Mall ................................................................................. 5 2.2.2 Traffic Control Devices ............................................................................... 5 2.2.2.1 Arterial Median .................................................................................. 5 2.2.2.2 The Transit Mall ................................................................................. 6 2.2.3 Light Rail Vehicles ...................................................................................... 6 2.2.4 System Operation ........................................................................................ 6 2.2.5 Chronology ofTraffic Engineering Improvements ....................................... 7 2.2.6 Accident Experience .................................................................................... 8 2.2.6.1 Accident Involvement ......................................................................... 8 2.2.6.2 Accident Involvement Rate per Train Mile of Service ......................... 8 2.2.6.3 Accident Involvement by Location ...................................................... 8 2.3 Research Methodology ........................................................................................ 9 2.3.1 Methodology for Accident Causation Analysis ............................................ 9 2.3.1.1 Step 1: IdentlfL “Hazard” Conditions for Each Accident Type ............9 2.3.1.2 Step 2: In-Depth Accident Causation Analysis .................................. 11 2.3.2 Methodology for Accident Severity Analysis ............................................. 11 2.3.2.1 Model Specification.......................................................................... 11 2.3.2.2 Goodness-of-Fit ............................................................................... 12 2.4 Results of Analysis of “Hazard” Conditions........................................................ 12 2.5 Results of In-Depth Accident Causation Analysis ............................................... 13 2.5.1 Left-Turn Accidents .................................................................................. 13 2.5.1.1 Pattern L1: Left-Turn Drivers Anticipating Leading Green Signal ..... 14 2.5.1.2 Pattern L2: Left-Turn Drivers Running Red Light ............................. 15 2.5.1.3 Pattern L3 : Drivers Turning Left where Left Turn is Prohibited ........ 15 2.5.1.4 Pattern LA: Left-Turn Drivers Misunderstanding Signals, Signs, and Warnings ...................................................................................................... 16 2.5.2 Right-Turn Accidents ................................................................................ 17 2.5.2.1 Pattern R1: Motorists Turning Right Against Active “No Right Turn” Signal ................................................................................................ 17 2.5.2.2 Pattern R2: LRV Swinging Out While Turning at Low Speed ........... 18 2.5.3 Results of Right Angle (Perpendicular) Accidents ..................................... 18 2.5.3.1 Pattern P1:Motorists “Running” Red Lights .................................... 18 2.5.3.2 Pattern P2: “Intoxicated” Motorists .................................................. 19 2.5.3.3 Pattern P3: TrafEc Control Signals Were Out at Night ...................... 19 2.5.4 Driveway Related Accidents ..................................................................... 20 2.5.4.1 Motorists Entering Parking Garages ................................................. 20 2.5.4.2 Motorists Exiting Parking Garages ................................................... 21 2.5.5 Pedestrian Accidents ................................................................................. 21 2.5.5.1 Pedestrian Accident # 1..................................................................... 21 2.5.5.2 Pedestrian Accident #2 ..................................................................... 21 2.5.5.3 Pedestrian Accident #3 ..................................................................... 22 2.5.5.4 Pedestrian Accident #4 ..................................................................... 22 2.6 Results of Accident Severity Analysis ................................................................ 22 2.6.1 The Dependent Variable ............................................................................ 22 2.6.2 Candidate Independent Variables .............................................................. 23 2.6.3 Estimated Severity Model ......................................................................... 24 2.6.4 Implications of the Estimated Severity Model ............................................ 24 Appendix A ............................................................................................................. 25 Chapter 2 Figures .................................................................................................... 29 Chapter 2 Tables ..................................................................................................... 39 Chapter 3. Accident Cost Analysis ............................................................................. 45 3.1 Summary ........................................................................................................... 45 3.2 Introduction....................................................................................................... 46 3.3 Background ....................................................................................................... 46 3.3.1 Safety Investment ..................................................................................... 46 3.3.2 Accident Cost Analysis ............................................................................. 47 3.3.3 System Accident History ........................................................................... 48 3.4 Methodology ..................................................................................................... 48 3.4.1 Direct Agency Costs ................................................................................. 49 3.4.2 Agency St~Time.................................................................................... 50 3.4.3 Other Societal Costs ................................................................................. 51 3.5 Results .............................................................................................................. 54 3.5.1 Estimated Costs ........................................................................................ 54 3 52Reliability of Estimates.............................................................................. 54 3 S.3 Costs by Accident Type ............................................................................ 55 3.5.4 Tranferability OfResults ............................................................................ 55 3.6 policy Impllcatlons.. ............................................................................................. 56 3.6.1 The Significance of Severity ...................................................................... 56 3 -6.2Implications for Safety Investments