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Exploring the Impact of Climate and Extreme Weather on Fatal Traffic Accidents

Author

Listed:
  • Yajie Zou

    (Key Laboratory of Road and Traffic Engineering of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, No. 4800 Cao’an Road, Shanghai 201804, China)

  • Yue Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Road and Traffic Engineering of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, No. 4800 Cao’an Road, Shanghai 201804, China)

  • Kai Cheng

    (Key Laboratory of Road and Traffic Engineering of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, No. 4800 Cao’an Road, Shanghai 201804, China)

Abstract

Climate change and the extreme weather have a negative impact on road traffic safety, resulting in severe road traffic accidents. In this study, a negative binomial model and a log-change model are proposed to analyse the impact of various factors on fatal traffic accidents. The dataset used in this study includes the fatal traffic accident frequency, social development indicators and climate indicators in California and Arizona. The results show that both models can provide accurate fitting results. Climate variables (i.e., average temperature and standard precipitation 24) can significantly affect the frequency of fatal traffic accidents. Non-climate variables (i.e., beer consumption, rural Vehicle miles travelled ratio, and vehicle performance) also have a significant impact. The modelling results can provide decision-making guidelines for the transportation management agencies to improve road traffic safety.

Suggested Citation

  • Yajie Zou & Yue Zhang & Kai Cheng, 2021. "Exploring the Impact of Climate and Extreme Weather on Fatal Traffic Accidents," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:1:p:390-:d:474524
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Nuntaporn Klinjun & Matthew Kelly & Chanita Praditsathaporn & Rewwadee Petsirasan, 2021. "Identification of Factors Affecting Road Traffic Injuries Incidence and Severity in Southern Thailand Based on Accident Investigation Reports," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Fu Wang & Jing Wang & Xianfeng Zhang & Dengjun Gu & Yang Yang & Hongbin Zhu, 2022. "Analysis of the Causes of Traffic Accidents and Identification of Accident-Prone Points in Long Downhill Tunnel of Mountain Expressways Based on Data Mining," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-22, July.
    4. Marijo Vidas & Vladan Tubić & Ivan Ivanović & Marko Subotić, 2022. "One Approach to Quantifying Rainfall Impact on the Traffic Flow of a Specific Freeway Segment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-16, April.
    5. Nurzaki Ikhsan & Ahmad Saifizul & Rahizar Ramli, 2021. "The Effect of Vehicle and Road Conditions on Rollover of Commercial Heavy Vehicles during Cornering: A Simulation Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-20, June.

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