Tracing Accident Time Using High-Resolution Traffic Data

Around the world, the analysis of highway accident data is employed to improve safety measures. In the accident data sets, the time of the accident is often the moment the accident is reported to the control center. However, this may not accurately reflect the pre- and post-accident traffic conditions. This study aims to enhance accuracy by utilizing high-resolution temporal and spatial traffic data to analyze the traffic pattern leading up to the reported accident time. By examining the traffic flow condition from upstream to downstream and considering the traffic pattern at the upstream detector of the accident, a more comprehensive understanding of accidents can be achieved. The identified accidents are then summarized based on accident rates, vehicles involved, and accident type, aligned with the corresponding traffic conditions.