Towards Safer T-Junctions: Unveiling Crash Causes Through Comprehensive Analysis

Ensuring road safety continues to be a prominent global issue, with a notable proportion of road crashes occurring at intersections, particularly T-junctions. Despite efforts to mitigate this problem, existing remedies have frequently demonstrated limited efficacy, primarily due to a lack of comprehensive identification of the root causes of these crashes. This research endeavor seeks to redefine the series of events, influential elements, and underlying factors leading to traffic crashes at suburban T-junctions by employing advanced techniques in traffic crash reconstruction and in-depth mathematical data analysis. In the initial phase, crash data will be reconstructed using the HVE software to replicate the event sequence and redefine the contributing factors that lead to various levels of severity and the fundamental causes of these specific crashes. Finally, the Action Point Angle of Sight (APAS) mathematical formula is applied to conduct a deeper analysis before considering suitable countermeasures. The outcomes demonstrate that using HVE and APAS together is practical for studying rear-end and sideswipe collisions at suburban T-type intersections. Consequently, this allows for identifying appropriate countermeasures to enhance traffic safety at T-junctions in suburban areas. These findings are further translated into practical recommendations for academic researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. Specifically, this research guides these stakeholders in selecting appropriate methodologies for crash reconstruction and identifying evidence-based solutions to enhance traffic safety within T-junctions and other types of intersections in Vietnam.