Exploring and identifying contributing factors of injury severity of drivers of emergency vehicles in Ohio

Date of Award

2016

Degree Name

M.S. in Civil Engineering

Department

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering Mechanics

Advisor/Chair

Advisor: Deogratias Eustace

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the contributing factors and characteristics associated with fatality and injuries sustained by drivers of emergency vehicles (EVs) involved in traffic crashes in the state of Ohio. Emergence vehicle drivers considered in this study include drivers of firefighter truck, drivers of ambulances (emergency medical services), and law enforcement officers. Some few research efforts recently conducted using Ohió⁰₉s crash data have shown that emergency vehicles are significant factors in increasing crash and injury severity levels. The current study investigated the injury risk factors of crashes involving EVs by using Ohio crash data for 2011-2015. A binary logistic regression model was developed to identify statistically significant factors related to fatalities and injuries of EV drivers. The logistic regression model identified fourteen factors. Significant factors identified include type of crash, collision type, speed related, traffic control type, alcohol related, type of emergency vehicle, emergency related trip, female driver, light condition, teen-related, not using seatbelt, curved and grade segment. Educational and enforcement strategies can be used to reduce EV related crashes and injuries.

Keywords

Emergency vehicles Accidents Ohio, Crash injuries Ohio, Civil Engineering, Transportation

Rights Statement

Copyright © 2016, author

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