Details:

Creators:
Kahane, C. J.
Corporate Creators:
United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Collisions Evaluation FARS Fatal Crash Fatalities Fatality Analysis Fatality Rates Light Trucks Mass Regression Regression Analysis Small Cars Statistical Analysis Vehicle Characteristics Vehicle Size Vehicle Weight Weight
Publication/ Report Number:
DOT HS 808 570
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Corporate Publisher:
United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Abstract:
Fatality rates per million exposure years are computed by make, model and model year,

based on the crash experience of model year 1985-93 passenger cars and light trucks (pickups) vans

and sport utility vehicles) in the United States during calendar years 1989-93. Regression analyses

calibrate the relationship between curb weight and the fatality rate, adjusting for the effects of driver

age, sex and other confounding factors. The analyses estimate the change in fatalities (including

occupants of the "case" vehicle, occupants of other vehicles in the crash, and pedestrians/bicyclists) per

100 pound weight reduction in cars or in light trucks. A 100-pound reduction in the average weight of

passenger cars, with accompanying reductions (based on historical patterns) in other size parameters

such as track width, and in the absence of any compensatory improvements in safety technology, is

associated with an estimated increase of 302 fatalities per year (±3-sigma confidence bounds range

from an increase of 170 to an increase of 434). However, a 100-pound reduction in the average weight

of light trucks is associated with an estimated decrease of 40 fatalities (± 3-sigma confidence bounds

range from adecrease of 130 to an increase of 50). In car-light truck collisions, 80 percent of the

fatalities are occupants of the cars. When light trucks are reduced in weight and size, they become less

hazardous to occupants of passenger cars as well as pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists.

Conversely, growth in the weight and size of light trucks could increase hazards to those groups.


Format:
PDF
Collection(s):
Volpe
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:ba0e14ae7d59c535ecee8c69675285a3831c3f626f82c20a5db20f025c040a12
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/8727/dot_8727_DS1.pdf
File Type:

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