Fathi Alkhatni

Crash Frequency and Injury Severity at Freeway Fixed Weigh Stations Fathi Alkhatni

At fixed weigh station, the movement of commercial vehicles (CMVs) from and back to the mainline traffic stream could create conflicts in traffic stream in its vicinity. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of presence of weigh stations on injury severity and frequency of crashes on Michigan freeways. A comparison study, which observed crash patterns in the vicinity of 12 fixed weigh stations as compared to crash patterns in the vicinity of 65 rest areas and 77 selected comparison segments, was conducted. The study used eight years (2004 to 2011) crash data recorded in Michigan freeways. Three major influential segments (ISs) were identified: (1) before facility, (2) at facility, and (3) after facility. Moreover, comparison segments (CSs) that have similar characteristics as the ISs were identified. The severity model (ordered probit) indicated that presence of weigh station had a positive coefficient which indicates that segments in the vicinity of weigh stations in Michigan are more likely to experience severe crashes compared to rest areas and comparison segments.