Safety Strategies for Rural Roads

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Safety Strategies for Rural Roads safety strategies for rural roads More than 75 000 people are killed each year on rural roads in OECD countries; this represents about 60 per cent of fatal road crashes. This loss ROAD TRANSPORT AND INTERMODAL RESEARCH of lives has an economic cost of around US$135 billion per year. The relative share of rural road fatalities in total road fatalities has risen from less than 55 per cent in 1980 to more than 60 per cent in 1996. While there has been a reduction in the total number of road fatalities in OECD countries during the past 20 years, it is clear that safety improvements on motorways and urban roads have been more successful than those on rural roads. Following an in-depth review of the characteristics of road crashes in rural areas, the book proposes a series of safety measures, focusing on infrastructure management, enforcement, innovative tools, such as intelligent transport systems, and trauma management. The book strives to raise the awareness of road users, decision makers and politicians of the importance of road safety in rural areas. It is a very useful handbook for local, regional or national authorities seeking to improve – sometimes at very low cost – safety on rural roads. safety strategies OECD for rural roads (77 1999 01 1 P) FF 240 9:HSTCQE=V\UZYY: ISBN 92-64-17054-5 -99 ROAD TRANSPORT AND INTERMODAL RESEARCH Safety Strategies for Rural Roads ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT Pursuant to Article 1 of the Convention signed in Paris on 14th December 1960, and which came into force on 30th September 1961, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shall promote policies designed: ± to achieve the highest sustainable economic growth and employment and a rising standard of living in Member countries, while maintaining ®nancial stability, and thus to contribute to the development of the world economy; ± to contribute to sound economic expansion in Member as well as non-member countries in the process of economic development; and ± to contribute to the expansion of world trade on a multilateral, non-discriminatory basis in accordance with international obligations. The original Member countries of the OECD are Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. The following countries became Members subsequently through accession at the dates indicated hereafter: Japan (28th April 1964), Finland (28th January 1969), Australia (7th June 1971), New Zealand (29th May 1973), Mexico (18th May 1994), the Czech Republic (21st December 1995), Hungary (7th May 1996), Poland (22nd November 1996) and Korea (12th Decem- ber 1996). The Commission of the European Communities takes part in the work of the OECD (Article 13 of the OECD Convention). PubliÂe en franËcais sous le titre : STRATEGIESÂ DE SECURITÂ EÂ ROUTIEREÁ EN RASE CAMPAGNE OECD 1999 Permission to reproduce a portion of this work for non-commercial purposes or classroom use should be obtained through the Centre franËcais d'exploitation du droit de copie (CFC), 20, rue des Grands-Augustins, 75006 Paris, France, Tel. (33-1) 44 07 47 70, Fax (33-1) 46 34 67 19, for every country except the United States. In the United States permission should be obtained through the Copyright Clearance Center, Customer Service, (508)750-8400, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923 USA, or CCC Online: http://www.copyright.com/. All other applications for permission to reproduce or translate all or part of this book should be made to OECD Publications, 2, rue AndrÂe-Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France. FOREWORD The Road Transport and Intermodal Linkages Research Programme (RTR) is a co-operative approach among Member countries to address technical, economic and policy issues relevant to safe and efficient road transport. The Programme, through its broader linkages to other modes, reflects a multimodal approach to common transport problems and represents a combined attempt to reduce the negative impact of transport on the environment. The Programme has two main fields of activity: • International research and policy assessments of road and road transport issues to provide analytical support for decisions by Member governments and international governmental organisations; • Technology transfer and information exchange through two databases -- the International Road Research Documentation (IRRD) scheme and the International Road Traffic and Accident Database (IRTAD). Its mission is to: • enhance innovative research through international co-operation and networking; • undertake joint policy analyses and prepare technology reviews of critical road transport issues; • promote the exchange of economic, scientific and technical information in the transport sector and contribute to road technology transfer in OECD Member and non-member countries; • promote the development of sound policies to achieve a safe and efficient transport sector that is responsive to the environment. The activities concern: • sustainable multimodal transport strategies; • economic performance, transport infrastructure and management; • transport safety and environment. 3 ABSTRACT IRRD NO 491006 Each year, more than 75 000 people are killed on rural roads in OECD Member countries. These deaths are accompanied by economic costs on the order of USD 135 billion per year. The relative importance of rural road fatalities in relation to total road fatalities has climbed from less than 55% in 1980 to more than 60% in 1996. Because OECD countries have experienced a reduction in the total number of road crash fatalities, it is clear that motorway and urban road safety improvements have been more successful than those on rural roads. The OECD therefore created an Expert Group composed of representatives from 13 countries to examine the problems and propose strategies for improving the situation. The report shows that as much as 80% of all accidents on rural roads fall into three categories: single vehicle accidents, head-on collisions and collisions at intersections. A main conclusion from this information is that the rural road system itself has inherent characteristics that significantly contribute to the high number of accidents and the high risks. It is therefore recommended that every OECD Member country should develop a rural road safety improvement strategy. It is also recommended that each country should develop short-, short-/medium- and long-term programmes. Such plans must pay special attention to raising awareness about rural road safety both within the general public and within the organisations of all key actors. Various safety measures that can improve rural road safety are suggested throughout the report. Although a network-wide approach is required and recommended in the report, it is understood that individual low-cost measures can contribute to the safety of the rural road network. The report recommends that safety should receive explicit attention at every level of the process, from the decision to build or rebuild, through planning, design and construction and during operation and maintenance. As there is currently insufficient information available on rural road safety problems to adequately support appropriate policy and investment decisions, the report recommends more systematic evaluation of the effectiveness of countermeasures. In addition to this, further research into rural road safety strategies and various individual safety measures is required to rapidly advance safety improvements on rural roads. Field Classification: accident studies, accidents and the road. Field Codes: 80, 82 Key Words: OECD, rural area, accident rate, fatality, accident prevention, policy, evaluation (assessment), danger, highway, improvement, efficiency. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter I INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 13 I.1 Defining rural roads.......................................................................................................... 13 I.2 Rural road safety............................................................................................................... 14 I.3 Safety on rural roads is declining ..................................................................................... 15 I.4 Safety policy for rural roads ............................................................................................. 16 I.5 Objectives of the study ..................................................................................................... 16 I.6 Structure of the report....................................................................................................... 17 Chapter II GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RURAL ROAD SAFETY ................................... 19 II.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................... 19 II.2 The rural road network and its use ................................................................................... 20 II.3 Speed limits and driving speeds ....................................................................................... 21 II.4 Accidents and fatalities....................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Traffic Noise Influence on Road Network Planning in Portugal
    Traffic Noise influence on Road Network Planning in Portugal Cecilia Rocha a,*, Antonio Carvalhob a Citta (Research centre for territory, transports and environment), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal b Laboratory of Acoustics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal Abstract This paper analyses the Portuguese planning system (land use management and road network) development along with population’s environmental awareness evolution, especially regarding traffic noise. Until 2000, the ineffectiveness of noise legislation and demographic movements towards the coastline, in conjunction with European funding, created adequate conditions to the enlargement of the Portuguese road network. In 2000 and 2007, were approved the second and third Noise Codes, enforcing municipalities and infrastructure’s Authorities to take appropriate measures to reduce noise levels wherever they exceed legal limits; create noise zoning maps, noise maps and noise conflict maps; and standardize noise evaluation parameters and periods. Keywords: traffic noise, transportation planning, Portugal 1. Introduction Over the past decades, the Portuguese cities have enlarged, mostly due to migration movements from the eastern to the western part of the country or even from the rural areas to the closest cities. At the same time, as Portugal received European Union funding, the construction of the major road network saw a huge expansion. These two circumstances created * Corresponding author Tel.: +351 22 508 1452; fax: +351 22 508 1486 E-mail address: [email protected] 1 a complex dilemma on land use definition. On one hand, there was the need to build good transportation infrastructures allowing the movements of people and goods and on the other hand the need to build more dwellings for the increasing population.
    [Show full text]
  • The Eib Climate Survey 2019-2020
    THE EIB CLIMATE SURVEY 2019-2020 HOW CITIZENS ARE CONFRONTING THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND WHAT ACTIONS THEY EXPECT FROM POLICYMAKERS AND BUSINESSES THE EIB CLIMATE SURVEY 20 SURVEY THE EIB CLIMATE 1 9-2020 THE EIB CLIMATE SURVEY 2019-2020 3 THE EIB CLIMATE SURVEY 2019-2020 HOW CITIZENS ARE CONFRONTING THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND WHAT ACTIONS THEY EXPECT FROM POLICYMAKERS AND BUSINESSES The EIB Climate Survey 2019-2020 How citizens are confronting the climate crisis and what actions they expect from policymakers and businesses © European Investment Bank, 2020. 98 -100, boulevard Konrad Adenauer – L-2950 Luxembourg 3 +352 4379-1 U [email protected] www.eib.org twitter.com/eib facebook.com/europeaninvestmentbank youtube.com/eibtheeubank All rights reserved. All questions on rights and licensing should be addressed to [email protected] Photo credits: Shutterstock/Alexandros Michailidis. All rights reserved. Authorisation to reproduce or use these photos must be requested directly from the copyright holder. For further information on the EIB’s activities, please consult our website, www.eib.org. You can also contact [email protected]. Get our e-newsletter at www.eib.org/sign-up Published by the European Investment Bank. Printed on Circle offset 95, FSC Recycled. The EIB uses paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Because it’s made by people who like trees. FSC promotes environmentally sound, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests. We all know reading is good for you. It’s good for the planet, too – as long as you read on the right paper.
    [Show full text]
  • Eu Road Surfaces: Economic and Safety Impact of the Lack of Regular Road Maintenance
    DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR INTERNAL POLICIES POLICY DEPARTMENT B: STRUCTURAL AND COHESION POLICIES TRANSPORT AND TOURISM EU ROAD SURFACES: ECONOMIC AND SAFETY IMPACT OF THE LACK OF REGULAR ROAD MAINTENANCE STUDY This document was requested by the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism. AUTHORS Steer Davies Gleave - Roberta Frisoni, Francesco Dionori, Lorenzo Casullo, Christoph Vollath, Louis Devenish, Federico Spano, Tomasz Sawicki, Soutra Carl, Rooney Lidia, João Neri, Radu Silaghi, Andrea Stanghellini RESPONSIBLE ADMINISTRATOR Piero Soave Policy Department Structural and Cohesion Policies European Parliament B-1047 Brussels E-mail: [email protected] EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE Adrienn Borka LINGUISTIC VERSIONS Original: EN. ABOUT THE EDITOR To contact the Policy Department or to subscribe to its monthly newsletter please write to: [email protected] Manuscript completed in July, 2014 © European Union, 2014. DISCLAIMER The opinions expressed in this document are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Parliament. Reproduction and translation for non-commercial purposes are authorized, provided the source is acknowledged and the publisher is given prior notice and sent a copy. DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR INTERNAL POLICIES POLICY DEPARTMENT B: STRUCTURAL AND COHESION POLICIES TRANSPORT AND TOURISM EU ROAD SURFACES: ECONOMIC AND SAFETY IMPACT OF THE LACK OF REGULAR ROAD MAINTENANCE STUDY Abstract This study looks at the condition and the quality of road surfaces in the EU and at the trends registered in the national budgets on the road maintenance activities in recent years, with the aim of reviewing the economic and safety consequences of the lack of regular road maintenance.
    [Show full text]
  • Indiana Drivers Manual: Ch. 7
    CHAPTER 7 | Safe Vehicle Operation CHAPTER SEVEN | SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION Even the most experienced drivers can be distracted while driving. A defensive driver looks out for the actions of other drivers and anticipates potential problems. LANE MARKINGS Lane markings separate traffic and alert drivers when it is permissible to pass other vehicles. Yellow Lane Markings Yellow lane markings separate multiple lanes of traffic going in opposite directions. You may cross a broken yellow line to pass another vehicle when it is safe, but you should not cross a solid yellow line except to turn. Two-lane road with a solid yellow line Two-lane road with a broken Four-lane road with a solid yellow line yellow line White Lane Markings White lane markings separate multiple lanes of traffic going in the same direction. Most roads with more than two lanes have broken white lines to separate the lanes. You may cross a broken white line when it is safe to change lanes, but you should not cross a solid white line. Three lanes of traffic with broken white lines CHANGING LANES AND PASSING OTHER VEHICLES Change only one lane at a time. When changing lanes to prepare for a turn, you must signal your intention to do so at least 200 feet prior to changing lanes or turning. Your signal distance must be at least 300 feet before the turn if you are operating a vehicle in a speed zone of at least 50 miles per hour. Do not weave in and out of lanes, which will greatly increase your risk of an accident.
    [Show full text]
  • Multi-Document Summarization Drivenby Domain-Specific Embedding
    POLITECNICO DI TORINO MASTER’s Degree in COMPUTER ENGINEERING MASTER’s Degree Thesis MULTI-DOCUMENT SUMMARIZATION DRIVEN BY DOMAIN-SPECIFIC EMBEDDING Supervisors Candidate prof. LUCA CAGLIERO MATTIA CARA prof. PAOLO GARZA MARCH 2020 Abstract Word embeddings are nowadays widely deployed in a large number of Natural Lan- guage Processing tasks. A word embedding is used to map each word belonging to a corpus, into a vector space, keeping semantic and syntactic properties. They are used in different implementations such as sentiment analysis, topic extraction, Part- Of-Speech tagging and of course document summarization. The focus of this thesis is towards this last job: the object is to extrapolate, given a collection of articles, the most relevant sentences to provide the reader only a limited set of information but hopefully the most meaningful. Particularly, the scope of this work is to empirically show that a domain-specific word embedding is able to extract a better summary with respect to a general-purpose one. A general-purpose word embedding is obtained after a training phase in which the input corpus is made of texts of various nature. On the other side, a domain-specific word embedding is trained using only documents that are treating that particular do- main. The idea behind is that, training a word embedding with documents belonging to the same domain will produce a better representation of all the words related to that argument, because, with respect to a non specific text, they are present more often and used in a more specific context. Other than that, a domain-specific embedding is capable to handle better words having multiple meanings: instead of treating each meaning with the same weight, the one linked to the precise domain will receive more relevance.
    [Show full text]
  • Motorcycle Tour Porto and Douro Valley Self- Guided Motorcycle Tour Porto and Douro Valley Self- Guided
    Motorcycle tour Porto and Douro Valley Self- Guided Motorcycle tour Porto and Douro Valley Self- Guided Duration Difficulty Support vehicle 3 días Easy-Normal Nei Language Guide en,es Nei PORTO & DOURO VALLEY ADVENTURE Experience the excitement of riding in the most striking sceneries, through both On and (optional) Off-road Trails, with the best and most suitable motorcycles and equipment. Enjoy fantastic top- notch hotels, our top assistance, and Portugal’s delightful gastronomy and wines. An amazing tailored route created by ex-riders meticulously thought to involve travelers with the splendorous sights and cultural richness of Portugal that combines the best of traveling with the best of motorcycling adventures. It is not that often that you are given the chance to chill out in luxury accommodations after a long day of riding and exploring. Moreover, Freeride Spirit takes care of every tiny detail, ensuring you have the finest remote 24h support and guiding assistance which allows you to do things in your own way and time, maintaining total privacy. Nevertheless, the very best of this tour is that you will have the opportunity to truly explore and appreciate up-close the best of both Porto and Douro. The hillsides and wineries where Port and some of the world’s greatest wines have been produced for the last 2000 years, and the imponent city at Douro River's mouth where the wines are stored for aging in the world-famous Port Wine cellars. Considered top Romantic European destinations they are both parts of what we think is the most beautiful wine region in the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Accidents Involving Motorcycles
    158 J. P. Dias Notation IDMEC – Department of Mechanical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, TWMV Two wheels motor vehicle Technical University of Lisbon, Portugal OV Other vehicle Introduction Accidents Involving Motorcycles and Pedestrians in Portugal In 2003, according to the Portuguese accident data, 41495 accidents with injuries occurred, 1498 persons died (within 30 days: correction factor = Abstract 1.14), 4659 severe and 50599 slight injuries Portugal has the highest rate of road fatalities in occurred. Portugal is one of the European Europe (2002 and for Eur-15 - CARE database). For countries with higher rates of road fatalities and this highest rate, the accidents involving accidents. This numbers are unacceptable in a pedestrians and motorcycle occupants have a social viewpoint, and the socio-economical cost higher contribution than the European average. for the country is estimated between 1498 and 5385 million Euros. The reduction of the In the last years, especially accidents involving Portuguese road fatalities involves among others motorcycles have been investigated and currently countermeasures the in-depth study of the road two different projects are being carried out, one accidents. The development of methodologies for related with motorcycles accidents and the other the study of road accidents is very relevant for a with pedestrian accidents. In these projects, wide group of entities, from the legislators, the countermeasures among others to reduce the traffic police, the courts, the insurance companies fatalities between these two types of road users are and for all the victims and relatives involved in road being studied. accidents. The accidents involving motorcycles These accidents are investigated with the and pedestrians represent, in Portugal, about 40% commercial accident reconstruction software PC- of all injuries.
    [Show full text]
  • The Movement of Li-Ion Batteries Through the Norwegian Transport Sector
    TØI report 1756/2020 Erik Figenbaum Rebecca Jayne Thorne Astrid Helene Amundsen Daniel Ruben Pinchasik Lasse Fridstrøm From Market Penetration to Vehicle Scrappage The Movement of Li-Ion Batteries through the Norwegian Transport Sector TØI-rapport 1756/2020 From Market Penetration to Vehicle Scrappage The Movement of Li-Ion Batteries through the Norwegian Transport Sector Erik Figenbaum Rebecca J. Thorne Astrid H. Amundsen Daniel R. Pinchasik Lasse Fridstrøm Forsidebilde: Shutterstock Transportøkonomisk institutt (TØI) har opphavsrett til hele rapporten og dens enkelte deler. Innholdet kan brukes som underlagsmateriale. Når rapporten siteres eller omtales, skal TØI oppgis som kilde med navn og rapportnummer. Rapporten kan ikke endres. Ved eventuell annen bruk må forhåndssamtykke fra TØI innhentes. For øvrig gjelder åndsverklovens bestemmelser. ISSN 2535-5104 Elektronisk ISBN 978-82-480-1294-8 Elektronisk Oslo, May 2020 Tittel: Fra markedsopptak til vraking. Li-Ion batteriers vei Title: From Market Penetration to Vehicle gjennom vegtransportsektoren Scrappage. The Movement of Li-Ion Batteries through the Norwegian Transport Sector Forfattere: Erik Figenbaum Authors: Erik Figenbaum Rebecca J. Thorne Rebecca J. Thorne Astrid H. Amundsen Astrid H. Amundsen Daniel R. Pinchasik Daniel R. Pinchasik Lasse Fridstrøm Lasse Fridstrøm Dato: 05.2020 Date: 05.2020 TØI-rapport: 1756/2020 TØI Report: 1756/2020 Sider: 178 Pages: 178 ISSN elektronisk: 2535-5104 ISSN: 2535-5104 ISBN elektronisk: 978-82-480-1294-8 ISBN Electronic: 978-82-480-1294-8 Finansieringskilde:
    [Show full text]
  • Beter Regulation of Public-Private Partnership for Transport Infrastructure: Summary and Conclusions
    A Service of Leibniz-Informationszentrum econstor Wirtschaft Leibniz Information Centre Make Your Publications Visible. zbw for Economics Perkins, Stephen Working Paper Beter regulation of public-private partnership for transport infrastructure: Summary and conclusions International Transport Forum Discussion Paper, No. 2013-6 Provided in Cooperation with: International Transport Forum (ITF), OECD Suggested Citation: Perkins, Stephen (2013) : Beter regulation of public-private partnership for transport infrastructure: Summary and conclusions, International Transport Forum Discussion Paper, No. 2013-6, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), International Transport Forum, Paris, http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/5k46n41s7347-en This Version is available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/97088 Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen: Terms of use: Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Documents in EconStor may be saved and copied for your Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden. personal and scholarly purposes. Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle You are not to copy documents for public or commercial Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich purposes, to exhibit the documents publicly, to make them machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen. publicly available on the internet, or to distribute or otherwise use the documents in public. Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung
    [Show full text]
  • Key Figures Road Operation 2019
    EGIS OUR 14,850 PEOPLE ARE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING ENERGY, ECOLOGY, DIGITAL AND TERRITORIAL TRANSITION TO SHAPE TOMORROW’S WORLD. We draw on our capacity for innovation and our ability to OUR ingeniously transform ideas into solutions that are tangible, operational and, most importantly, useful for our clients all ADDED VALUE over the world. Our assignments lead us to operate in a wide range of We have worked with local partners for 30 years in five Egis manages and transforms road infrastructure for public domains addressing the major challenges of the planet, such continents, demonstrating our capacity to structure a and private owners and investors. By partnering through as transport, buildings, water, the environment, energy, urban comprehensive O&M offer and commit to it. every stage of the project, Egis strives to create enduring development and mobility services. To deliver them, we call social and economic benefits today and tomorrow. We have a strong experience in starting up operations or upon a broad spectrum of disciplines, ranging from the design taking over existing projects and achieve high standards in of infrastructure to its operation, also including consulting, delivering the services. turnkey delivery and project structuring. OUR We deploy innovative services optimising infrastructure KEY FIGURES management and sustainable development of territories. ROAD STRONG POINTS OPERATION OUR CORE BUSINESS €1.130 BILLION 2019 MANAGED TURNOVER IN 2018 DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, OPERATION & A WORLD CONTRACTS OPERATING MAINTENANCE AND
    [Show full text]
  • Road Operation 2020
    EGIS AT A GLANCE Egis is a major international group in the construction engineering and mobility services sectors whose unique global service range encompasses infrastructure consulting, OUR engineering and operation. ADDED VALUE Through our capacity for innovation, we respond to climate and digital challenges by offering solutions and acknowledged know-how in the areas of transportation and We have worked with local partners for 30 years Egis manages and transforms road infrastructure for public in five mobility, sustainable city construction, buildings, water, the and private owners and investors. continents, demonstrating our capacity to structure a environment and energy. By partnering through comprehensive O&M offer and commit to it. every stage of the project, Egis strives to create enduring With 15,800 employees in the world, Egis imagines a social and economic benefits today and tomorrow. We have a strong experience in starting up operations or sustainable future, working for populations and social progress. taking over existing projects and achieve high standards in delivering the services. OUR We deploy innovative services optimising infrastructure management and sustainable development of territories. STRONG POINTS € BILLION OUR CORE BUSINESS 1.22 MANAGED TURNOVER IN 2019 KEY FIGURES DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, OPERATION & CONTRACTS OPERATING MAINTENANCE AND LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT COVERING A SUBSIDIARIES 25% ROAD 44 WIDE RANGE 28 IN DIFFERENT PARTNER EXECUTIVES OF ACTIVITIES COUNTRIES Full management of Routine and winter AND EMPLOYEES
    [Show full text]
  • Safetyeffects of Road Design Standards
    Safetyeffects of road design standards A study commissioned by the European Commission DG VII of the situation in the European U mon R-94-7 H.G.J.C.M Ruyters; M. Slop & F.C.M. Wegman (Eds.) Leidschendam, 1994 SWOV Institute tor Road Safety Research, The Netherlands swov Institute for Road Safety Research P.O. Box 170 2260 AD Leidschendam The Netherlands Telephone 31703209323 Telefax 31703201261 Summary Proper road design is crucial to prevent human errors in traffic and less human errors will result in less accidents. Three safety principles have to be appJied in a systematic and consistent manner to prevent human errors: prevent unintended use of roads and streets; prevent large discrepancies in speed, direction and mass at moderate and high speed; prevent uncertainty amongst road users, i.e. enhance the predictability of the road's course and people's behaviour on the road. It is to be expected that proper road design, according to these safety principles, could reduce considerably the number of accidents and accident rates in Europe. Road design standards play a vita! role in road design. However, the unavailability and the non-accordance of road design standards in Europe increase risks and therefore contribute to the actual size of the road safety problem. Activities focused on the availability of road design standards and their mutual accordance are expected to lead to a better ful:filment of the 'three road safety principles' and consequently to an increase of road safety. The report deals with the results of a study carried out for the EU by SWOV, in co-operation with a number of other European institutes.
    [Show full text]