I-880 Field Experiment: Analysis of Incidnet Data

The I-880 field experiment has produced one of the largest data bases on incidents and freeway traffic-flow characteristics ever compiled.  Field data on incidents were collected through observations of probe-vehicle drivers before and after the implementation of freeway service patrols (FSPs) over a freeway section.  Supplementary information was collected from the California Highway Patrol's computer-aided dispatch system, FSPs, and tow-truck company logs.  The incident patterns are described and the major factors affecting incident frequency and duration are identified.  FSPs significantly reduced the response times but did not have a significant effect on the duration of all incidents.