With a view towards reducing traffic accidents on roadways, various methods have been considered to predict accidents. In this study, we analyze traffic accident frequency models that employ fixed- and random-parameter negative binomial approaches. Random parameters enable the inclusion of unobserved heterogeneity in traffic accident data, which current popular methods with fixed parameters such as Poisson or negative binomial models cannot consider in terms of time variation or segment-specific effects. A continuous, unbalanced panel of accident histories for 208 four-way signalized intersections on national highways in Seoul was used to estimate a traffic accident occurrence model that considered traffic volumes and various geometric characteristics at intersections. The results revealed that the left-turn exclusive lanes and traffic volumes on minor roads had random parameters that affected the likelihood of accident frequencies differently; the other variables were found to significantly affect traffic safety at the intersections on the national highways as fixed parameters. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the same traffic safety facilities have different effects on traffic accidents on major and minor roads. The insights from this study suggest the need for a broader analysis of integrated guidelines for facilities that impact intersection accident propensities.

PURPOSES : The objective was to develop the advanced method which could not explain each observation’s specific characteristic in the present negative binomial method that results in under-estimation of the standard error(t-value inflation) and affects the confidence of whole derived results. METHODS : This study dealt with traffic accidents occurring within interchange segment on highway main line with RPNB(Random Parameter Negative Binomial) method that enables to take account of heterogeneity. RESULTS : As a result, AADT and lighting installation type on the road were revealed to have random parameter and in terms of other geometric variables, all were derived as fixed parameter(same effect on every segment). Also, marginal effects were adapted to analyze the relative effects on traffic accidents. CONCLUSIONS : This study proves that RPNB method which considers each observation’s specific characteristics is better fitted to the accident data with geometrics. Thus, it is recommended that RPNB model or other methods which could consider the heterogeneity needs to be adapted in accident analysis.