Description:
SPF-R is a free, open source tool that aids in the development of Safety Performance Functions (SPFs). SPFs are state-of-the-art regression models that help safety engineers conduct highway safety analysis. Not all states have adopted the use of SPFs and are still using older, naive approaches. It is suspected that many states have not adopted newer methodologies due to difficulties related to SPF development.
The SPF-R software tool is easy to use and customizable to a variety of potential applications. An advantage of SPF-R–as compared to other SPF development methods–is the ability to obtain immediate feedback during the SPF development process. The tool provides objective goodness-of-fit measures as well as visual depictions of the model. Analysts can use this information to mitigate omitted variable bias by allowing the user to include other variables or filter the database, among other tools to improve the models. SPF-R also allows alternate model forms and includes example SPFs of various forms.
Tool Type:
Software
Owner Source:
university
Sponsor/Owner:
- Eric Green, Kentucky Transportation Center
Published:
Availability:
This software is free of charge at the following link:
Related Resources
SPF-R User’s Guide: This application guide provides background information and serves as a how-to manual for SPF-R.
Disclaimer:
This information is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of the information contained herein. This information does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturer's names appear in this information only because they are considered essential to the objective of this publication.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations, and translations thereof, expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Highway Administration.