Identifying the Spatial Pattern of Off-Road Vehicle Accidents in Michigan's Silver Lake State Park

Abstract

A spatial point pattern analysis was performed to examine Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) accident patterns in Silver Lake State Park, Michigan, to assist in accident prevention. The K function was used to identify accident clusters, the kernel intensity function was used to detect accident hotspots, and the independent t-test was used to assess if percent slope was the underlying environmental factor that affects the occurrence of accidents. The results indicated that accidents were significantly clustered. The hotspots were where riders crested hills in the directional zone and encountered an abrupt slope on the back side. Another high-risk area was in directionally unrestricted areas. The t-test confirmed that accidents occurred in the steeper slope areas more frequently than flat areas. Park managers should consider adding unidirectional traffic patterns in areas of poor visibility and requiring reduced speeds near beach areas through an enforced speed limit.