Factors Inducing Multivehicular Collisions During Visibility Reduced by Snowstorm

Many factors are thought to relate to the occurrence of multivehicular collisions during snowstorm. These factors were analyzed by using a database and observations of multivehicular collisions. In addition to severe road weather conditions and surrounding environment during snowstorm, the drivers’ driving attributes and the traffic factors also were found to relate closely to such accidents. From these results the risk factor level was examined to assess the occurrence risk of multivehicular collision. When these risk factor levels were applied to collision cases, they closely expressed the occurrence risk. Although many challenges remain in developing a quantitative evaluation method of risk assessment, the factors identified in this study enable objective assessment of the risk of multivehicular collisions during snowstorm by consideration of the road weather, environmental, and traffic conditions of the site.