A study on crashes related to visibility obstruction due to fog and smoke

Research on weather effects has focused on snow- or rain-related crashes. However, there is a lack of understanding of crashes that occur during fog or smoke (FS). This study presents a comprehensive examination of FS-related crashes using crash data from Florida between 2003 and 2007. A two-stage research strategy was implemented (1) to examine FS-related crash characteristics with respect to temporal distribution, influential factors and crash types and (2) to estimate the effects of various factors on injury severity given that a FS-related crash has occurred. The morning hours from December to February are the prevalent times for FS-related crashes. Compared to crashes under clear-visibility conditions, FS-related crashes tend to result in more severe injuries and involve more vehicles. Head-on and rear-end crashes are the two most common crash types in terms of crash risk and severity. These crashes were more prevalent on high-speed roads, undivided roads, roads with no sidewalks and two-lane rural roads. Moreover, FS-related crashes were more likely to occur at night without street lighting, leading to more severe injuries.

► This paper examines Fog/Smoke-related crash characteristics with respect to temporal distribution, influential factors and crash types, and estimate the effects of various factors on injury severity of Fog/Smoke-related crashes.
► The results indicated that these crashes were more prevalent on higher speed, undivided, no sidewalk and two-lane rural road situations.
► Moreover, FS crashes occur more likely at night without street light, which also leads to severer injuries.