What are the types of expectancy relevant to crash analysis?

In crash analysis, understanding expectancy is crucial as it relates to how individuals perceive and react to their environment while driving. The correct grouping of expectancy types—continuity, event, and temporal—offers a comprehensive framework for analyzing how crashes can occur.

Continuity refers to the expectation that road and traffic conditions will remain stable and predictable. When this continuity is disrupted, it can lead to surprise and reactiveness, increasing the likelihood of a crash.

Event expectancy is focused on what drivers anticipate will happen in relation to specific events on the roadway, such as traffic signals changing, pedestrians crossing, or vehicles merging. An inaccurate expectation about these events can lead to critical errors in judgment and delays in reaction time.

Temporal expectancy deals with the timing of actions, such as anticipating how long a stoplight will last or when it is safe to proceed after a stop. Misjudging time can result in moving into an intersection when it’s unsafe, contributing to crash risk.

Together, these three types—continuity, event, and temporal—help professionals analyze driving behavior and potential risks, making them essential in crash analysis efforts.