Road safety has become an intensively studied topic with an overarching aim of better understanding of why road crashes occur. Crash occurrences can be viewed as a result of the interaction of several variables such as road geometry, vehicle and operational conditions (which includes speed, traffic volume, and environment). Traditionally statistical models have been used to identify the factors contributing to road crashes using available data. Over the last decade, the data collection system has improved, and it can now accommodate information needed to allow experts to develop more advanced models to investigate and establish evidence-driven countermeasures to improve road safety. This study will use observational data to build safety performance functions, identify selected countermeasures and estimate of crash modification factors (CMFs). Using micro-simulation in road safety investigation is a new area. Therefore, this study will then test whether the micro-simulation models help to estimates CMFs for selected countermeasures in consideration of before and after scenarios. Thus it would allow the researchers to see how micro-simulation methods can be used to quantify safety outcome from modifying road geometric conditions.

Dr Soma Somasundaraswaran

• School of Engineering and Built Environment

• Civil Engineering
• Interdisciplinary Engineering

• Doctor of Philosophy (DPHD)