The Determinants of Truck Accidents

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2007

Subject Area

operations - traffic, infrastructure - vehicle, planning - safety/accidents, organisation - regulation, mode - rail

Keywords

United States, Unemployment, Trucks, Truck accidents, Train traffic, Time series, Staggers Rail Act of 1980, Social drinking, Road freight vehicles, Range (Vehicles), Railroad traffic, Motor Carrier Act of 1980, Mileage range, Mathematical models, Lorries, Heavy goods vehicles, Freight trains, Deregulation, Cargo vehicles, Alcohol use, Alcohol consumption, Accident responsibility, Accident factors, Accident causes

Abstract

This paper examines the determinants of truck accidents in the United States using a time series data set covering the period 1970-2001. Along with other factors, the effect of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980, which deregulated the trucking industry, is examined for its impact on truck accidents. In addition, the model accounts for the effect railroad freight mileage has on truck accidents. Empirically, alcohol consumption, the unemployment rate, and railroad activity were found to have significant effects on truck accidents while deregulation of the trucking industry did not have a statistically significant adverse effect on these accidents.

Comments

Transportation Research Part E Home Page: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13665545

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