RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ROAD WEARING COURSE, WEATHER CONDITIONS AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS 1977

The purpose of this analysis is to study the influence of different surfacings on the accident rate (accidents/million vehicle kilometres) for different weather conditions. The surfacings investigated were asphaltic concrete (mab) and surface dressing (ytb). The results show that the accident rate for roads paved with asphaltic concrete is significantly higher when the road surface is covered with ice and snow than for wet or dry surfaces. Roads with surface dressing do not show such differences. Regarding the summer period no significant difference in the accident rate has been found, when comparing wet with dry weather conditions. If the difference in accident rate between roads with asphaltic concrete and surface dressing respectively, is dependent upon weather, it is estimated that the accidents may be reduced by 5 to 10 percent by using ytb instead of mab. However the results are uncertain and the analysis ought to be repeated. (TRRL)