Exploring the Nature and Severity of Heavy Truck Crashes in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Traffic crashes involving heavy trucks long have been a major concern in the field of traffic safety because of their great effect on accident severity. The emirate of Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, features a unique situation: several roads designed mainly for truck movement. Even though those roads were constructed more than 10 years ago to decrease the severity of truck-related crashes, no prior studies have examined their effects on traffic safety improvements. The goals of this study were to understand better the nature, characteristics, and causes of heavy truck crashes occurring in Abu Dhabi; to identify the factors associated with crash severities; and to examine the probability of truck crashes involving fatalities on truck roads versus on mixed-vehicle roads. Data were analyzed from a sample of 1,426 heavy truck–related crashes with reported fatalities or injuries that occurred in Abu Dhabi between 2007 and 2013. First, conditional distributions, two-way analysis, and odds ratios were performed. Second, ordered probit and structural equation models were developed. Results indicated that the likelihood of truck crashes involving fatalities was 35% higher on truck roads than on mixed-vehicle roads. In addition, findings showed that human error, driver education, location, road type, and road speed variables were significant in affecting the severity of heavy truck– related crashes. Finally, practical suggestions on how to reduce the number of heavy truck–related crashes in Abu Dhabi are presented and discussed.