Project Are To Identify Factors That Contribute To Truck Accidents

NJ DOT, Jan 27, 2005

Identify factors that contribute to truck accidents in New Jersey; and to recommend technologies and strategies for use as countermeasures for these factors.

Project Abstract:
The goals of this research project are to identify statistically significant factors that contribute to truck accidents in New Jersey and to recommend technologies and strategies holding potential for use as countermeasures for the most prevalent of these factors.

It is well known that the roadways in New Jersey that have the highest design standards: the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, the Atlantic City Expressway and the Interstate system also have the lowest accident rates. Recognizing this fact, legislation was recently passed restricting through truck traffic to these higher type facilities.

This legislation does not address the large number of trucks that are making deliveries to locations within the state or that originate at industries and businesses through New Jersey.

These trucks must use all roadways in sthe state to reacha their destinations Truck accidents are generally grouped with auto accidents; consequently accident analysis does not address specific roadway geometry or other conditions that may affect truck accidents toa much greater degree than autos. If these specific causes of truck accidents could be identified, then innovative measures, including advanced technologies, could be identified and implemented to help reduce the number of truck accidents.