DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS FOR COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEMS FOR LANE CHANGE, MERGING AND BACKING. TASK 1 INTERIM REPORT: CRASH PROBLEM ANALYSIS

Crashes associated with lane change, merging and backing maneuvers were studied. A taxonomy for classifying vehicle crashes was developed based on the maneuver in progress, vehicle role and manner and nature of the collision. Using the 1992 General Estimates System database, the population of each crash category was identified. For each category, the ambient conditions surrounding the crashes, including driver and vehicle variables, are tabulated. Statistical tests were performed on a variety of category populations to identify possible association between variables from which crash causes could be inferred, but little association was found. Statistical tests were also performed to determine possible correlation between crash severity and external variables, such as lighting, road conditions, etc. Here again, no compelling correlation was found. The hard copy data from 143 cases of lane change/merge crashes in the 1992 Crashworthiness Data System were studied and accident scenarios were developed. Approximately 200 police accident reports were studied to develop accident scenarios for backing crashes.