Prediction and interpretive of motor vehicle traffic crashes severity based on random forest optimized by meta-heuristic algorithm

Providing accurate prediction of the severity of traffic collisions is vital to improve the efficiency of emergencies and reduce casualties, accordingly improving traffic safety and reducing traffic congestion. However, the issue of both the predictive accuracy of the model and the interpretability of predicted outcomes has remained a persistent challenge. We propose a Random Forest optimized by a Meta-heuristic algorithm prediction framework that integrates the spatiotemporal characteristics of crashes. Through predictive analysis of motor vehicle traffic crash data on interstate highways within the United States in 2020, we compared the accuracy of various ensemble models and single-classification prediction models. The results show that the Random Forest (RF) model optimized by the Crown Porcupine Optimizer (CPO) has the best prediction results, and the accuracy, recall, f1 score, and precision can reach more than 90 %. We found that factors such as Temperature and Weather are closely related to vehicle traffic crashes. Closely related indicators were analyzed interpretatively using a geographic information system (GIS) based on the characteristic importance ranking of the results. The framework enables more accurate prediction of motor vehicle traffic crashes and discovers the important factors leading to motor vehicle traffic crashes with an explanation. The study proposes that in some areas consideration should be given to adding measures such as nighttime lighting devices and nighttime fatigue driving alert devices to ensure safe driving. It offers references for policymakers to address traffic management and urban development issues.