ForewordThe purpose of this study was to investigate driving behaviors that lead to critical events (e.g., near misses) when trucks and light vehicles interact on the highway. The results suggest that efforts at addressing light vehicle-heavy vehicle (LV-HV) interaction incidents should focus on the driving behaviors of the light vehicle drivers, as well as heavy vehicle drivers. Further, it is recommended that heavy vehicle drivers may also benefit from improved driver training that includes instruction on defensive driving.Specific to this report, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) was tasked by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) to conduct an in-depth investigation on what was termed "Light Vehicle-Heavy Vehicle Interactions: A Preliminary Assessment Using Critical Incident Analysis."Archived videotape recordings collected during each on-road data collection effort were retrieved and re-examined. Critical incidents that involved LV-HV interactions were separated and studied in detail, with 78 percent attributed to light vehicle drivers.A taxonomy was then developed as part of the effort, which aided in characterizing the recorded incidents. In addition to identifying the initiator of each incident and categorizing the type of incidents recorded, analyses involved assessing the primary maneuver, general contributing factor, and specific contributing factor associated with each incident.Members of the general public will find this report interesting and informative, as will anyone interested in the study of light vehicle-heavy vehicle interactions. This report is considered final in that it fully documents the results of the aforementioned study, and that the information provided herein is not superceded by other research.
NoticeThis document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The United States Government assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof.The contents of this report reflect the views of the contractor (and the individuals interviewed) who is responsible for the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Department of Transportation.The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturers' names appear herein only if they are considered essential to the objectives of the document. This document does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. . 16. Abstract: Two recently completed on-road, in situ data collection efforts provided a large data set in which to conduct an examination of near-crashes and crashes (critical incidents) that occurred between light vehicles (LV) and heavy vehicles (HV). Video and other sensor data collected during the two studies were used to characterize critical incidents that were recorded between LV and HV drivers. Across both studies, 210 LV-HV critical incidents were recorded. Of these, 78 percent were initiated by the light vehic...