Statistical and Machine Learning Analysis of Traffic Accidents on US 158 in Currituck County: A Comparison with HSM Predictions

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Sawyer, Jennifer, Allagan, Julian
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Sawyer, Jennifer
Allagan, Julian
author_facet Sawyer, Jennifer
Allagan, Julian
contents This study extends previous hotspot and Chi-Square analysis by Sawyer \cite{sawyer2025hotspot} by integrating advanced statistical analysis, machine learning, and spatial modeling techniques to analyze five years (2019--2023) of traffic accident data from an 8.4-mile stretch of US 158 in Currituck County, NC. Building upon foundational statistical work, we apply Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), Negative Binomial Regression, Random Forest classification, and Highway Safety Manual (HSM) Safety Performance Function (SPF) comparisons to identify comprehensive temporal and spatial crash patterns. A Random Forest classifier predicts injury severity with 67\% accuracy, outperforming HSM SPF. Spatial clustering is confirmed via Moran's I test ($I = 0.32$, $p < 0.001$), and KDE analysis reveals hotspots near major intersections, validating and extending earlier hotspot identification methods. These results support targeted interventions to improve traffic safety on this vital transportation corridor. Our objective is to provide actionable insights for improving safety on US 158 while contributing to the broader understanding of rural highway safety analysis through methodological advancement beyond basic statistical techniques.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2512_22302
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Statistical and Machine Learning Analysis of Traffic Accidents on US 158 in Currituck County: A Comparison with HSM Predictions
Sawyer, Jennifer
Allagan, Julian
Machine Learning
62P12, 62H11, 62M30, 68T05, 90B20, 62P30, 62J12
This study extends previous hotspot and Chi-Square analysis by Sawyer \cite{sawyer2025hotspot} by integrating advanced statistical analysis, machine learning, and spatial modeling techniques to analyze five years (2019--2023) of traffic accident data from an 8.4-mile stretch of US 158 in Currituck County, NC. Building upon foundational statistical work, we apply Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), Negative Binomial Regression, Random Forest classification, and Highway Safety Manual (HSM) Safety Performance Function (SPF) comparisons to identify comprehensive temporal and spatial crash patterns. A Random Forest classifier predicts injury severity with 67\% accuracy, outperforming HSM SPF. Spatial clustering is confirmed via Moran's I test ($I = 0.32$, $p < 0.001$), and KDE analysis reveals hotspots near major intersections, validating and extending earlier hotspot identification methods. These results support targeted interventions to improve traffic safety on this vital transportation corridor. Our objective is to provide actionable insights for improving safety on US 158 while contributing to the broader understanding of rural highway safety analysis through methodological advancement beyond basic statistical techniques.
title Statistical and Machine Learning Analysis of Traffic Accidents on US 158 in Currituck County: A Comparison with HSM Predictions
topic Machine Learning
62P12, 62H11, 62M30, 68T05, 90B20, 62P30, 62J12
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.22302