[2605.06684] From Canopy to Collision: A Hybrid Predictive Framework for Identifying Risk Factors in Tree-Involved Traffic Crashes
[Submitted on 25 Apr 2026]
Title:From Canopy to Collision: A Hybrid Predictive Framework for Identifying Risk Factors in Tree-Involved Traffic Crashes
View a PDF of the paper titled From Canopy to Collision: A Hybrid Predictive Framework for Identifying Risk Factors in Tree-Involved Traffic Crashes, by Abdul Azim and 2 other authors
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Abstract:Tree-involved crashes represent a critical subset of run-off-road (ROR) collisions, often resulting in fatal or severe injuries due to high-energy impacts. This study develops a comprehensive analytical framework to identify and quantify risk factors contributing to crash severity in tree-involved collisions using the Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS) database spanning 2020-2023. The modeling framework follows a multi-step process. First, a machine learning based classification model (CatBoost) identifies key factors associated with binary crash injury severity (KA: fatal or incapacitating injury versus BC: non-incapacitating or possible injury). Second, SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) tool is used to quantify and visualize the marginal effects of top influential factors on crash severity. Third, a binary logistic regression model estimates factor effects and validates SHAP-derived importance measures. Finally, SHAP interaction plots examine the combined effects of key contributing factors. Results reveal restraint non-use as the most influential predictor, with unrestrained occupants nearly three times more likely to experience severe outcomes due to ejection risk. Vehicle age, speeding violations, and driver impairment demonstrate substantial effects, reflecting reduced crashworthiness, increased impact forces, and reduced control capabilities. Critical interactions emerge between lighting conditions and vehicle age, speeding and lighting conditions, restraint use and vehicle age, and road surface and speeding, demonstrating additive risk effects with specific interactions. These findings provide critical insights for targeted safe system-based interventions, including enhanced seat belt enforcement, speed management in reduced visibility conditions, and vehicle fleet modernization.
Comments: 30 pages, 10 figures
Subjects:
Machine Learning (cs.LG)
Cite as: arXiv:2605.06684 [cs.LG]
(or arXiv:2605.06684v1 [cs.LG] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2605.06684
arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite
Submission history
From: Abdul Azim [view email] [v1] Sat, 25 Apr 2026 20:25:27 UTC (1,452 KB)
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