The objectives of this study are twofold: to quantify nonrecurrent congestion delay caused by traffic accidents that occur on freeways and to analyze the causal factors by different types of accidents. Unlike previous studies, this study proposes an analytical procedure to estimate congestion impact by using the difference between speed reduced by a traffic accident and accident-free normal flow speed. The proposed method is demonstrated by a case study using accident data derived from 27 freeways in South Korea in 2008. Ultimately, the method can develop a performance measure for evaluating transportation policies and planning level analyses associated with the design of transportation systems and preparation of operating plans for safety, as well as for quantitatively evaluating deployed transportation projects or technologies. Moreover, the results from statistical analyses can potentially be useful in making strategic plans and formulating mitigation measures for reducing nonrecurrent congestion delay caused by accidents on the South Korean freeway system.
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