The Solomon Curve is the graphical representation of the research conducted by David Solomon in the late 1950s and published in 1964.[1]
The Original Research
editIn 1964, Solomon researched the relationship between average speed and collision rates of automobiles and plotted the results.[2] While others have attempted to quantify the relationship between average speed and collision rates, Solomon's work was both the earliest and best known.[3] Solomon conducted a comprehensive study on crashes and how other roadway, driver, and vehicle characteristics affect the probability of being involved in a crash.[4] Solomon found that the probability of being involved in a crash per vehicle-mile as a function of on-road vehicle speeds follows a U-shaped curve (see figure to the right) with speed values around the median speed having the lowest probability of being in a crash.[5] Although typically called the Solomon curve, the U-shaped curve has also been referred to as the Crash Risk Curve.[6]
Subsequent Research
editIn 1968, Julie Cirillo conducted a similar study of 2,000 vehicles on interstate highways that addressed speed variation’s impact on crashes that involved two or more vehicles.[7] The Cirillo data represented a U-shaped curve similar to the Solomon curve.[8]
Theoretical Foundation
editHauer provided a theoretical foundation for the Solomon curve in 1971 – “for example, if I drive at 45 mph, while the median of the pack is 60 mph, how many cars will pass me in an hour and hence have a chance to collide with me” – that showed that the theoretical distribution was nearly identical to the Solomon curve.[9]
References
edit- ^ Solomon, David (July 1964, Reprinted 1974). "Accidents on main rural highways related to speed, driver, and vehicle". Technical report, U.S. Department of Commerce/Bureau of Public Roads (precursor to Federal Highway Administration).
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Meyer, John Robert (February 1999). Essays in Transportation Economics and Policy. Brookings Institution Press. p. 275. ISBN 978-0815731818.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Kloeden CN, McLean AJ, Moore VM, Ponte G (November 1997). "Travelling Speed and the Risk of Crash Involvement". Retrieved 3-1-2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Johnson, Steven L. (November 2005). "Cost-Benefit Evaluation of Large Truck- Automobile Speed Limit Differentials on Rural Interstate Highways" (MS Word). University of Arkansas, Department of Industrial Engineering: 24. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Chan, Kuei-Yuan (2006-09-10), "A CASE STUDY IN VEHICLE EMISSIONS REGULATIONS TO ACHIEVE AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS" (PDF), Proceedings of IDETC/CIE 2006, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: ASME, p. 8, retrieved 2009-03-01
{{citation}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Society for Safety by Education Not Speed Enforcement. "Is speed killing us?". Retrieved 3-1-2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Cirillo, J.A. (1968). Interstate System Accident Research Study II, Interim Report II, Public Roads, 35 (3). pp. 71–75.
- ^ Johnson, Steven L. (November 2005). "Cost-Benefit Evaluation of Large Truck- Automobile Speed Limit Differentials on Rural Interstate Highways" (MS Word). University of Arkansas, Department of Industrial Engineering: 25. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ John Robert Meyer, José A. Gómez-Ibáñez, William B. Tye, Clifford Winston (January 2011). Essays in Transportation Economics and Policy. Brookings Institution Press. p. 276. ISBN 9780815715696. Retrieved 3-1-2009.
{{cite book}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)