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Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration

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Safety

C. The Haddon Matrix

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The Haddon Matrix is commonly used to approach safety analysis at a site in a systematic fashion.  Developed in 1980 by William Haddon, the Matrix is a two-dimensional
model which applies basic principles of public health to motor vehicle-related injuries.  The first dimension is the phase of injury divided into pre-crash, crash, and post-
crash.  The second dimension is the four factors of injury:  human, vehicle/equipment, physical environment, and socioeconomic.

The Haddon Matrix is completed through the evaluation of sites and/or crash details associated with a site or sites.  When completed, it provides insight into the range of
possible safety issues and concerns as well as possible solutions.  This model is an extremely effective tool for not only identifying where and when to implement traffic
safety countermeasures, but also planning crash-related data collection, and identifying organizations and agencies for collaboration efforts.

The value of the Haddon Matrix is each cell represents a different area in which interventions can be identified and implemented for transportation system safety
improvement.  The Haddon Matrix is completed upon examination of crashes for a set of locations or single location under study, and is used to inform the road safety
analyst.

For example, the Haddon Matrix below might be constructed from a set of crashes in an urban area.  The top-left cell (pre-crash human) identifies potential modifications to
driver behavior that may reduce the likelihood or the severity of a collision.  As shown in the example table, it is poor vision or reaction time, alcohol consumption,
speeding, and risk taking.  The matrix in its entirety provides a range of potential issues that can be addressed through a variety of countermeasures, including education,
enforcement, engineering, and emergency response solutions (the 4Es of Safety).

Table C.1 Haddon Matrix

Not Vehicle/

Applicable Human Equipment Physical Environment Socioeconomic

Pre-Crash Poor vision or reaction time, alcohol, Failed brakes, missing lights, lack of Narrow shoulders,
Cultural norms permitting speeding, red
speeding, risk taking warning systems ill-timed signals light running, DUI
 Crash Failure to use occupant restraints Malfunctioning safety belts, poorly Poorly designed guardrails Lack of vehicle design regulations
engineered air bags

Post- Poor emergency Lack of support for EMS and trauma

High susceptibility, alcohol Poorly designed fuel tanks
Crash communication systems systems

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Page last modified on July 15, 2011