Reduction Program of Accident Risk for Vehicles in High Cross Winds

Risk reduction program for vehicles running on highway was proposed. Critical wind speeds at which vehicles can slip into adjacent lane are found by numerical simulation for several types of cars. Then accident probability can be calculated based on probability distribution of local wind velocity. Wind barrier was considered to reduce wind velocity. The wind reduction characteristics due to barrier were found by wind tunnel test. Due to the reduction of wind velocity, car accident risk can be reduced. Total cost in which the installation cost of wind barrier and those cost for car accident were evaluated for each candidate site. Then, decision was made to install wind barrier if and only if the cost can be saved due to wind barrier.