Analyzing Factors that Influence Expressway Traffic Crashes Based on Association Rules: Using the Shaoyang-Xinhuang Section of the Shanghai-Kunming Expressway as an Example

Analyzing the influencing factors in expressway traffic crashes is an important aspect of traffic safety analysis. This study examines detailed data from 217 crashes that took place from 2015 to 2016 on the Shaoyang-Xinhuang section of the Shanghai-Kunming Expressway. The data were recorded by the Expressway Administration of Hunan Province, China, which is the only officially available and reliable source of traffic accident data. Descriptive statistics for crash characteristics, vehicle conditions, and road environmental condition data are provided. This paper studies the characteristics of expressway traffic accidents and their influencing factors via the association rule data mining method. The 21 rules obtained from the association rules were analyzed, the accident characteristics of various types of vehicles were studied, and the causes of injury/fatal accidents in various situations were identified. The results of this study will contribute to the targeted enforcement of traffic regulations and the improvement of road facilities to reduce traffic casualties and promote road safety in other areas.