Better Roads Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/134675
HighwayContractor Table: Weather-Related Crash Statistics (Annual Averages) Road Weather Conditions Wet Pavement Weather-Related Crash Statistics Annual Rates (Approximately) Percentages 18% of vehicle crashes 75% of weatherrelated crashes 507,900 persons injured 17% of crash injuries 81% of weatherrelated crash injuries 5,500 persons killed Rain 1,128,000 crashes 13% of crash fatalities 77% of weatherrelated crash fatalities 707,000 crashes 11% of vehicle crashes 47% of weatherrelated crashes 330,200 persons injured 225,000 crashes 2% of crash injuries 15% of weatherrelated crashes 4% of vehicle crashes 11% of weatherrelated crash injuries 2% of crash fatalities 12% of weatherrelated crash fatalities 190,100 crashes 3% of vehicle crashes 13% of weatherrelated crashes 62,700 persons injured 2% of crash injuries 10% of weatherrelated crash injuries 680 persons killed 2% of crash fatalities 10% of weatherrelated crash fatalities 168,300 crashes 3% of crash injuries 11% of weatherrelated crashes 47,700 persons injured 2% of vehicle crashes 8% of weatherrelated crash injuries 620 persons killed 1% of crash fatalities 9% of weatherrelated crash fatalities 38,000 crashes 1% of vehicle crashes 3% of weatherrelated crashes 15,600 persons injured 1% of crash injuries 2% of weatherrelated crash injuries 600 persons killed Fog 46% of weatherrelated crash fatalities 870 persons killed Snow/Slushy Pavement 8% of crash fatalities 70,900 persons injured Icy Pavement 52% of weatherrelated crash injuries 3,300 persons killed Snow/Sleet 11% of crash injuries 1% of crash fatalities 8% of weatherrelated crash fatalities Chart by FHWA 10 1,511,200 crashes 24% of vehicle crashes 629,300 persons injured 21% of crash injuries 7,130 persons killed WeatherRelated * 17% of crash fatalities The Ice of Texas How the Lone Star State works winter weather T he Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University recently developed a winter weather operations manual for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and also what it called "a playbook for winter storms in Texas … to be used for general public awareness of winter storm operations." TTI notes, "There is no cookie-cutter approach to dealing with winter storm maintenance issues." But, says the Institute, "it is important to have a readiness plan, especially at the district level. Keeping the public aware of those efforts and plans are a critical key to success." Emerging technology holds the potential to change the game, and TTI notes that innovations using GPS and GIS can help devise management strategies forwinter weather plowing and approaches for anti-icing and deicing materials. There are also Maintenance Decision Support Systems (MDSS) integrated software applications that provide users with "real-time road treatment recommendations based on weather forecast information and predicted pavement conditions. "These recommendations include guidance for material use (e.g., salt brine), application times, and rates." The software helps agencies minimize the amount of material applied to the roads while maintaining the highest level of service possible under given resource constraints, says TTI. "A winter MDSS can also be used for analyzing 'what-if' scenarios and to compare treatment alternatives using various material types, application times, and rates." And, the report points out, it can also June 2013 Better Roads HighwayCon_BR0613.indd 10 5/31/13 12:37 PM