Researchers at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute and Texas A&M University investigated the relationship between phone use behavior and road geometrics determining that using a phone while driving is more than just a self-choice. The combination and presence of a shoulder, median, higher speed limit and extra lanes could encourage more phone use while driving. The results also confirmed the correlation between the frequency of phone use and distracted crashes on urban roads.
The findings of this study were published in the article “Characterizing Phone Usage While Driving: Safety Impact from Road and Operational Perspectives Using Factor Analysis” in Accident Analysis & Prevention. The authors include Xiaoqiang “Jack” Kong, a graduate research assistant at TTI; Dr. Subasish Das, assistant research scientist in TTI’s Roadway Safety Division; Dr. Hongmin “Tracy” Zhou, associate transportation researcher in TTI’s Research and Implementation Division; and Dr. Yunglong Zhang, professor, associate department head of graduate programs in Texas A&M’s Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
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