MPC Research Reports
Report Details

Title:	Quantifying the Impact of Large Percent Trucks Proportion on Rural Freeways
Authors:	Edward Offei and Rhonda Young
University:	University of Wyoming
Publication Date:	Feb 2014
Report #:	MPC-13-265
Project #:	MPC-355
TRID #:	01522193
Keywords:	crash rates, rural highways, statistical analysis, traffic volume, trucks

Abstract

The trucking industry continues to contribute significantly to the economy of the United States. The surface transportation system has been a critical component for the movement of goods and services by the trucking industry across the country. Recent decades have seen substantial growth in freight miles traveled, due to globalization, trade growth, and improvements in logistics and supply chain management. Although these developments have led to economic growth, there has been a sharp increase in the proportion of freight/truck traffic traveling along key routes that has caused significant interactions between trucks and other vehicles. These interactions have raised safety and capacity concerns on the freeways.

Interstate 80 (I-80) was identified for this research because of the high percentage of truck traffic (40% -70%) that it carries. This Interstate is a popular route for most freight, transporting goods from the east (Chicago) to the west (California) and vice versa. I-80 in the states of Wyoming and Nebraska was selected as a test case for this research, which seeks to develop a statistical modeling of the relationship between the high percent trucks and crash rates. Findings from this research are intended to aid transportation managers when deciding on actions to take on highway facilities carrying a large percentage of trucks.

How to Cite

Offei, Edward, and Rhonda Young. Quantifying the Impact of Large Percent Trucks Proportion on Rural Freeways, MPC-13-265. North Dakota State University - Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, Fargo: Mountain-Plains Consortium, 2014.