What safety-related aspect does the AASHTO Safety Manual primarily focus on?

• A. Traffic flow rates
• B. Accident modification factors
• C. Road design standards
• D. Vehicle capacity

Answer: (B)

The AASHTO Safety Manual primarily focuses on accident modification factors, which are essential for understanding and improving road safety. Accident modification factors provide a way to quantify the expected changes in accident frequency following the implementation of safety improvements or changes in roadway conditions. This aspect is crucial for traffic engineers and safety professionals as they evaluate the effectiveness of various safety measures and design interventions.

By analyzing historical accident data and identifying factors that influence the likelihood of crashes, practitioners can apply these modification factors to predict the potential reductions in accidents resulting from specific design changes or safety initiatives. This approach allows for evidence-based decision-making when prioritizing safety improvements and allocating resources effectively to mitigate risks on roadways.

While traffic flow rates, road design standards, and vehicle capacity are important aspects of transportation engineering, they do not directly address safety improvement strategies in the same way that accident modification factors do. Therefore, the focus on accident modification factors aligns the AASHTO Safety Manual with the primary goal of enhancing roadway safety and reducing accidents.