Factors affecting the probability of bus drivers being at-fault in bus-involved accidents

• Bus accidents in Melbourne, Australia, were analysed.
• Bus–vehicle and bus–objects collisions were found to be the most common.
• Mixed logit modelling was also done to identify factors affecting probability of drivers being at-fault in accidents.
• Model results show that these factors vary across drivers.
• Findings suggest benefits in assigning shorter/newer buses and routes with bus priority to less experienced drivers.

Previous research has provided little insight into factors that influence the probability of bus drivers being at-fault in bus-involved accidents. In this study, an analysis was conducted on accident data compiled by a bus company that include an assessment on whether the bus driver was deemed by the company to hold primary responsibility for accident occurrence. Using a mixed logit modelling approach, roadway/environmental, vehicle and driver related variables that were identified to be influential were road type, speed limit, traffic/lighting conditions, bus priority, bus age/length and driver's age/gender/experience/historic at-fault accident record. Results were indicative of possible confined road-space issues that bus drivers face along routes with roadside traffic friction and point to the provision of exclusive right of way for buses as a possible way to address this. Results also suggest benefits in assigning routes comprising mainly divided roads as well as newer and shorter buses to less experienced drivers.