LARGE TRUCK CRASH CAUSATION STUDY - INTERIM REPORT

Abstract

This interim report has been prepared to introduce and describe the Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS). This report discusses the background, study design, field methodology, and early data tallies for the study of large truck crashes. Description of existing data collection infrastructure is discussed to provide an understanding as to why and how this special project was conceived and designed. Preliminary tallies of the LTCCS data are presented to give an overview of the types of crashes being investigated, as well as to give an idea of future potential analyses. However, no national estimates of proportions, relationships, or risks should be inferred from them. The LTCCS is a three-year data collection project conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT). The NHTSA is charged with the responsibility of reducing the personal and property losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. The goal of FMCSA is to reduce the number of commercial truck and bus crashes. Many sources of information are needed to permit researchers to adequately measure the characteristics of the highway safety environment. NHTSA's National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA) operates a system of crash research teams that provide detailed nationally representative statistics on motor vehicle crashes and a database for evaluation of standards and countermeasures design.