The constructs and concepts involved in the study
The Dangerous Intersection gives a report of the accidents caused by intersections and makes an effort to prevent further loss through improvement of safety intersection in the United States. Cities with highest number of dangerous intersections account to high accident rates. Location information reveals the incidents accidents occurred and identifies intersections or intersection accidents contribution to such tragedies in the years 1998, 1999, and 2001. Grants worth $100,0000 are given to cities with top ten dangerous intersection. The research cuts across road safety engineering, criminal behaviour and traffic volume. Intersection geometry (physical layout) is fundamental in shaping driver behavior during intersections (State Farm: Dangerous Intersections n.d.).
Hypothesis that might drive the research of one of the cities on the top 10 dangerous intersection list
Gross misconduct of the driver and traffic conflicts due to high traffic volume contributes to dangerous intersection.
The methodology for State Farm’s research
Methodology involved broad collection of data from police report, engineer’s geometric review, capacity profile of intersection, traffic study, and benefit cost analysis. Choice of sampling and ranking the ten dangerous intersection lists contributes highly to realistic findings. This enabled the intersection program disburse grants according to the accident rate and traffic conflicts. Sorting and categorization according to accident rates and traffic volume proved beneficial in implementing short-term or long-term improvements (Crundwell 2008).
The methodology was significant in drawing patterns of problems leading to intersection characteristics. As such, improving the ability to efficiently undertake loss prevention programs in the roads sector. However, the danger codes were narrowed down to No/with personal injury. This focused on property damages. If the methodology had included a regression analysis on property loss and loss of lives, it would have revealed substantial figures on the dangerous intersection. Including the traffic volume counts seemed unnecessary, as one had the traffic volume.
Addressing the concerns of transportation engineers
Much consideration would be focused on implementation of the previous findings prior to evaluation of the current state of dangerous intersection. A critical consideration on grants disbursement will be focused on the accident rate considering accidents and traffic volume. As such, engineers will be in a better position to reduce risks where they happen at high rates.
Use of traffic volume counts as part of the 2003 study
Much focus will be given to property loss and loss of lives. This will reveal substantial figures on the dangerous intersection. Cities with highest number of dangerous intersections account to high accident rates. More focus should have been given to other alternative means of transport as a solution. As such, considering the railway transport is fundamental in reducing the dangerous intersection. Railway transport will reduce traffic volume and accident rates in the road network.
References
Baker, M. (2008). The Strategic Marketing Plan Audit. Providence, RI: Field.
Crundwell, F. (2008). Finance for Engineers: Evaluation and Funding of Capital Projects. New York: Springer.
Market Decisions Corporation. (2011). High-Touch Market Research. Web.
State Farm: Dangerous Intersections (Marketing Research, 1/e, Cooper/Schindler). (n.d). Web.