Date of Award:

5-2016

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Committee Chair(s)

Ziqi Song

Committee

Ziqi Song

Committee

Anthony Chen

Committee

Joe Caliendo

Abstract

With the implementation of new roadway configurations, there is a great need to study the influence of the roadway design on the crash rate. Utah is one of the leading states in the implementation of the Diverging Diamond Interchange.

In order to determine the effects of the new roadway configuration on the safety of the intersection, this study employs an Empirical Bayes before-after study of the crash rates at selected Diverging Diamond Interchanges in Utah. The results of the Empirical Bayes method were also used to calculate crash modification factors. The total number of crashes at each site were analyzed. In addition, total crash data for each site was analyzed at varying crash severity levels. This was done with the intention of looking at the total safety impact of the interchange design as well as the specific effects on crashes at different levels of crash severity. A theoretical discussion of pedestrian and cyclist safety is also included. The study supplied positive results and a helpful look into the safety effects of the Diverging Diamond Interchanges in Utah.

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