Form ProjStat (Rev. 5/2013)

(RTI)

Research Project Statement 16-321
FY 2016 Annual Program
Title: / Development of Systemic Large Truck Safety Analyses
The Problem: / Texas has the highest number of fatal crashes involving large trucks with a gross weight rating of over 10,000 pounds in the US since 1994, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS). Furthermore, the number of fatal crashes in Texas involving large trucks in 2012 grew by 82% from 299 crashes in 2009 while in California, the second highest state in fatal crashes involving large trucks, there was a 7% decrease during the same period. Crashes involving large trucks are even more destructive because of their size and weight. According to crash statistics in Texas in 2012, the risk of fatal injuries in large truck-involved crashes is double when compared to crashes that do not involve large trucks.
Although there is a significant impact on Texas traffic safety, there has been less concern and fewer analyses on the risk factors of large truck-involved crashes, as well as the effectiveness of countermeasures. There is much uncertainty about how many large truck crashes can be reduced by specific countermeasures implementation.
Technical
Objectives: / This research will:
  1. Identify crash risk factors associated with characteristics of crash types, locations, environmental and contributing factors for the crashes involving large trucks using the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database; i.e., Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS).
  2. Conduct risk assessment in order to prioritize the risk factors.
  3. Identify effective countermeasures to the risk factors identified and evaluate low-cost, high effective countermeasures to improve truck safety.
In order to successfully complete this research, the following steps will be undertaken:
  1. Conduct literature review
  2. Collect large truck involved crashes
  3. Analyze crashes by type, location, environmental and contributing
  4. Identify potential risk factors
  5. Conduct risk assessment
  6. Prioritize risk factors
  7. Identify countermeasures and evaluate effectiveness

Desired
Deliverables: /
  1. Value of Research (VoR) as a first deliverable that includes both qualitative and economic benefits.
  2. Research report documenting work performed and findings.

Proposal
Requirements: /
  1. Proposals will be considered non-responsive and will not be accepted for technical evaluation if they are not received by the deadline or do not meet the requirements stated in RTI’s University Handbook.
  2. Proposals should be submitted in PDF format, 1 PDF file per proposal. File name should include project name and university abbreviation.

Pre-Proposal Meeting Information: / Friday, September 11, 2015 9:00 – 12:00
Austin Riverside Campus
118 E. Riverside Dr.
ENV Conference Room, 1st Floor, 1B1A
Webex Information:
Join the online meeting:
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Meeting number: / 737 294 354
Meeting password: / 1234
Teleconference information;
Provide your phone number when you join the meeting to receive a call back. Alternatively, you can call:
Call-in toll-free number: 1-866-6371408(US)
Conference Code: 199 125 9183
Proposal
Deadline: / Proposals are due to RTI by 4:00 p.m. Central Time, October 12, 2015. Email submissions should be sent to .

Project Statement 16-321