The main objective of the study was to determine the direct costs of motor vehicle accidents and incidents in which vehicles registered in the Washington Metropolitan Area were involved in the 12 months between April 1, 1964, and March 31, 1965. The study also included detailed analyses of the numbers of involvements and direct costs of reported accidents as related to highway, vehicle, driver, and general environmental factors. The Washington Metropolitan Area (the study area) covers almost 1,500 square miles and had a 1960 population of about two million. Abouth 771,000 vehicles covered by this study were registered in this area as of June 30, 1964. These vehicles traveled almost seven billion vehicle-miles during the year on about 6,800 miles of streets and highways. The main sources of data for the study were the official police records for reported traffic accidents and incidents in each jurisdiction. Interviews were conducted with a carefully selected sample of vehicle owners recorded as having been involved in an accident or incident during the study period. The approximate numbers and costs of unreported accidents and incidents involving study area vehicles also were determined by contacting a separate sample of the owners of all vehicles registered in the area. The basic unit of analysis was the vehicle involvement rather than the accident or incident. Consistent with generally accepted theory, the principle was applied in this study that the cost of motor vehicle accidents may be correctly represented by the money value of damages and losses to persons and property, plus expenditures in connection with the accident potential.
Washington Area Motor Vehicle Accident Cost Study (Wamvacs)
1966
303 pages
Report
No indication
English
Motor vehicle accident costs in Washington metropolitan area
Engineering Index Backfile | 1967
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