Commercial Motor Vehicle Lane Departure Crashes

The annual number of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes in the U.S. has been increasing since 2009. In Kentucky, the number of CMV crashes rose 27% from 2009 to 2016. Of particular concern are crossover crashes involving CMVs. These occur when a vehicle leaves its intended path and veers into the path of oncoming traffic, typically resulting in head on or sideswipe opposite-direction collisions.

To determine whether installing cable median barriers can mitigate crossover crashes involving CMVs, this study leveraged analysis by a panel of experts and the development of safety performance functions and crash modification factors. The panelists contend that cable median barriers can prevent or mitigate CMV crashes, a conclusion substantiated by statistical modeling.

CONTACT

• Nikiforos Stamatiadis, PhD, Principal Investigator