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1.
Accid Anal Prev ; 173: 106705, 2022 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35613526

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the results of a stated choice study for estimating the Willingness-To-Pay of respondents in four European countries (Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands) to reduce the risk of fatal and serious injuries in road crashes. Respondents were confronted with hypothetical route choices that differ in respect of travel costs, travel time and crash risk. The survey was completed by 8,002 respondents, equally spread over the four participating countries and representative for each country with regards to gender, age and region. Possible biases caused by problematic choice behaviour such as inconsistent, irrational or lexicographic answers were addressed. The resulting values were estimated by means of a mixed logit model allowing to account for the panel nature of the data. The Value of a Statistical Life (VSL) was estimated at 6.2 Mill EUR, the Value of a Statistical Serious Injury (VSSI) at 950,000 EUR, and the Value of Time (VoT) at 16.1 EUR/h. Consequently, the relative value of avoiding a fatal injury is estimated to be around 7 times higher than the value of an avoided serious injury. The study revealed differences between countries with France showing values that are significantly lower than the average and Germany showing values that are significantly higher. The estimated VSL values are considerably higher than the values currently used in the four countries, but they are within the range of values found in similar stated choice studies. The results can be used as an input in a broad range of socioeconomic studies including cost-benefit analysis and assessments of socioeconomic costs of road crashes.


Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic , Value of Life , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Humans , Logistic Models , Travel
2.
Accid Anal Prev ; 166: 106542, 2022 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34953430

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Since 1994, the legal limit of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is 0.5 g/L for the general drivers' population in Belgium. Since 2015, this limit has been lowered to 0.2 g/L for professional drivers. So far, no specific limitation has been adopted for novice drivers in Belgium. Recently, two bills were submitted to the House of Representatives: the first one proposed to impose a zero-limit for every driver, the second one proposed to restrict this zero-limit only to novice drivers. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the potential impact of the two bills that aim to reduce the legal BAC limit from 0.5 to zero, either for all drivers or for novice drivers only. We elaborated three scenarios related to the BAC categories for which lowering the legal BAC limit to zero would affect drink-driving behaviour: "Targeted BAC levels" scenario assumed that the new policy would impact only the specifically targeted BAC category, i.e., drivers in the category BAC below 0.5 g/L. "Extended impact" scenario corresponded to the "Targeted BAC levels" scenario to which we added a "halo effect" on drivers in the BAC category "0.5 g/L ≤ BAC < 0.8 g/L". "Broad range impact" scenario corresponded to the "Extended impact" scenario to where we extended the "halo effect" to drivers in the BAC category "0.8 g/L ≤ BAC < 1.2 g/L". METHODS: The effect estimates were based on firstly, scientific literature on risks related to drink-driving at different BAC-levels, secondly data on crashes in Belgium and thirdly data on drink-driving behaviour in Belgium and in other European countries. RESULTS: In case of a zero limit for all drivers, an annual reduction can be expected of 10 to 17 fatalities (i.e., a decrease of 2.4% to 3.9%), 8 to 20 severe injuries (i.e., a decrease of 0.3% to 0.8%) and 135 to 315 slight injuries (i.e., a decrease of 0.4% to 0.8%). In case a zero limit is only applied to novice drivers, an annual decrease can be expected by 2 to 4 fatalities (i.e., a decline of 3.7% to 6.2%), 8 to 16 serious injuries and 135 to 262 slight injuries (i.e., a decline of 1.7% to 3.2% in both cases). DISCUSSION: There is no clear evidence on which of the three scenarios would be the most plausible. As the relative risk of a car crash increases strongly with the BAC level, the success of either measure will strongly depend on its ability to also affect drink driving at concentrations that are forbidden already. This also means that most of the casualties could be prevented if compliance with current rules increased.


Subject(s)
Automobile Driving , Driving Under the Influence , Accidents, Traffic/prevention & control , Alcohol Drinking , Belgium , Blood Alcohol Content , Humans
3.
Accid Anal Prev ; 150: 105902, 2021 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33307478

ABSTRACT

The level of safety for cyclists at roundabouts may vary according to national differences not only in the design itself but also sociodemographic, cyclist and driver behaviour as well as environmental factors. This paper investigates the national influence on cyclist casualty severity at roundabouts by comparing the United Kingdom (using Northumbria as a representative sample) and Belgium. The data included speed limits, socio-demographic characteristics, environmental conditions and driver/cyclist behaviour-related contributory factors. First, a logistic regression analysis for the UK data, including 864 cyclist casualties, was carried out. Increasing the speed limit by ten units (for example 30mph to 40mph) increased the probability of a cyclist being killed or seriously injured by 10%. A cyclist casualty was more than three times more likely to be killed or seriously injured (the odds ratio is 3.02) where sudden braking was recorded as a contributory factor. Second, a separate logistic regression analysis for Belgium was conducted. Cyclists ignoring the priority at roundabouts increased the probability of a fatal or seriously injured collisions (the odds ratio is 2.71). Comparing the individual analysis for both countries, the influence of cyclist age was consistent. Each one-year increase in cyclist age increases chance of being killed or seriously injured as opposed to not being killed or seriously injured by 2 % (odds ratio is 1.02) in both UK and Belgium. A final comparative analysis was applied considering proxy variables for both countries. Three-way chi-square tests of independence showed that all non-behavioural variables (i.e. sociodemographic characteristics, speed limit, and environmental conditions) were found to be statistically different between UK and Belgium for both slight and killed and seriously injured casualties. This suggests that driver/cyclist interaction and behaviour in the two countries is generally similar whilst speed limits, the sociodemographic characteristics of cyclists and environmental conditions are specific for each country. The third part of the logistic regression analysis suggested that the country residual was highly statistically significant. This indicates that there are some statistically significant differences with respect to the characteristics of the two regional datasets used in the analysis.


Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic , Bicycling , Belgium , Humans , Odds Ratio , Safety , United Kingdom
5.
Accid Anal Prev ; 133: 105292, 2019 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31585228

ABSTRACT

Economic evaluations of road safety measures are only rarely published in the scholarly literature. We collected and (re-)analyzed evidence in order to conduct cost-benefit analyses (CBAs) for 29 road safety measures. The information on crash costs was based on data from a survey in European countries. We applied a systematic procedure including corrections for inflation and Purchasing Power Parity in order to express all the monetary information in the same units (EUR, 2015). Cost-benefit analyses were done for measures with favorable estimated effects on road safety and for which relevant information on costs could be found. Results were assessed in terms of benefit-to-cost ratios and net present value. In order to account for some uncertainties, we carried out sensitivity analyses based on varying assumptions for costs of measures and measure effectiveness. Moreover we defined some combinations used as best case and worst case scenarios. In the best estimate scenario, 25 measures turn out to be cost-effective. 4 measures (road lighting, automatic barriers installation, area wide traffic calming and mandatory eyesight tests) are not cost-effective according to this scenario. In total, 14 measures remain cost-effective throughout all scenarios, whereas 10 other measures switch from cost-effective in the best case scenario to not cost-effective in the worst case scenario. For three measures insufficient information is available to calculate all scenarios. Two measures (automatic barriers installation and area wide traffic calming) even in the best case do not become cost-effective. Inherent uncertainties tend to be present in the underlying data on costs of measures, effects and target groups. Results of CBAs are not necessarily generally valid or directly transferable to other settings.


Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic/economics , Built Environment/economics , Accidents, Traffic/prevention & control , Built Environment/standards , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Europe , Humans
6.
Accid Anal Prev ; 128: 139-147, 2019 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31015183

ABSTRACT

The aim of this paper is to update the most recent published evidence on road safety estimates of recent red light camera (RLC) and speed/red light camera studies (SRLC). A literature search was carried out on RLC studies in the period 2013-2017 which, after screening, identified 18 recent studies on red light cameras (RLCs) and speed/red light cameras (SRLCs). The methodology and results of these studies were further examined and summary safety estimates were derived and compared to earlier meta-analysis summary estimates. The primary conclusion is that the new safety estimates from this paper show a 12% decrease of total crashes and confirm the general tendency of RLCs to reduce right angle crashes while at the same time increasing rear-end crashes. However, comparing the developments over time, the review reveals that safety estimates tend to increase with time (the safety effects of the most recent studies are the greatest). Also safety estimates suggest more positive effects with SRLCs than with RLCs. Most of recent studies indicate that spillover effects are present and can be quite substantial.


Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data , Photography/methods , Accidents, Traffic/prevention & control , Automobile Driving/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , Law Enforcement/methods , Safety
7.
Accid Anal Prev ; 125: 344-351, 2019 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30131100

ABSTRACT

The European Road Safety Decision Support System (roadsafety-dss.eu) is an innovative system providing the available evidence on a broad range of road risks and possible countermeasures. This paper describes the scientific basis of the DSS. The structure underlying the DSS consists of (1) a taxonomy identifying risk factors and measures and linking them to each other, (2) a repository of studies, and (3) synopses summarizing the effects estimated in the literature for each risk factor and measure, and (4) an economic efficiency evaluation instrument (E3-calculator). The DSS is implemented in a modern web-based tool with a highly ergonomic interface, allowing users to get a quick overview or go deeper into the results of single studies according to their own needs.


Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic/prevention & control , Data Collection/methods , Decision Support Techniques , Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data , Built Environment , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Humans , Risk Factors , Safety
8.
Accid Anal Prev ; 123: 211-221, 2019 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30529992

ABSTRACT

Behavioural observation studies in road safety research collect naturalistic data of road users that are not informed (beforehand) of their participation in a research project. It enables the observation of behavioural and situational processes that contribute to unsafe traffic events, while possible behavioural adaptations due to the road users' recognition of being observed are minimized. The literature in this field is vast and diverse, with studies dating back to the 1930s. The aim of this paper is to summarize the research efforts in the domain of road user behavioural observation research to examine trends and developments of this type of research, using a scoping review. After the definition of certain selection criteria, 600 journal articles found in three major online databases were retrieved and included in this review. The number of publications regarding road user behavioural observation studies has increased rapidly during recent years, indicating the importance of behavioural observation studies to study traffic safety. Most studies collected data on car drivers (81%), while vulnerable road users have been observed in 32% of all studies, with pedestrians and (motor)cyclists as the most common road user types. The results showed that the main goal of behavioural observation is to monitor (51%), followed by the evaluation of a specific safety improving measure (38%) and the development of behavioural models (10%). Most topics relate to traffic events where interactions with other road users are necessary, indicating that the examination of behavioural processes underlying single-vehicle crashes has received little attention. The ongoing developments of automated video analysis software tools can be the next methodological step forward in video-based behavioural observation studies, since it enables a more objective data collection and data analysis process.


Subject(s)
Automobile Driving/psychology , Behavior Observation Techniques , Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data , Adaptation, Psychological , Data Collection/methods , Databases, Factual , Humans , Pedestrians/psychology , Safety
9.
Accid Anal Prev ; 119: 114-121, 2018 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30016751

ABSTRACT

The current safety concerns with buses/minibuses (public transport) in both developed and developing countries have warranted a renewed interest in bus/minibus safety research. Prior to this, there was a paucity of research in this domain especially in developed countries where the safety associated with buses was deemed adequate. In this study, we examined the factors that influence bus/minibus accident severity in Ghana using bus/minibus accident data from 2011-2015. We estimated the severity of bus/minibus accidents by fitting generalised ordered logit models. Our findings revealed that weekends, the absence of road median, night-time conditions, bad road terrain (curved, wet and rough roads), hit-pedestrian collisions, and drunk driving are associated with more severe bus/minibus accident outcomes. Conversely, minibuses, the absence of road shoulder, accidents in intersections, the presence of traffic control and collision types (except hit-pedestrian) are associated with less severe bus/minibus accidents.


Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data , Motor Vehicles/statistics & numerical data , Safety , Developing Countries , Driving Under the Influence/statistics & numerical data , Environment Design , Ghana , Humans , Injury Severity Score , Logistic Models , Pedestrians/statistics & numerical data , Risk Factors
10.
Accid Anal Prev ; 114: 83-89, 2018 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28687120

ABSTRACT

Dynamic speed limits (DSL) are limits that change according to real-time traffic, road or weather conditions. In DSL-schemes road users are typically informed of speed limit changes by electronic signs that are housed within gantries situated above lanes. Dynamic speed limit systems are increasingly applied worldwide, usually on motorways. One of the objectives of dynamic speed limits is to improve traffic safety through reductions in speed variations within and across lanes and between upstream and downstream flows. This paper shows the results of an empirical evaluation of the effects on traffic safety of a dynamic speed limit system on motorways in Flanders, Belgium. The evaluation was done by means of a before-after analysis of crashes, completed with a cost-benefit analysis. The results show that the number of injury crashes decreased significantly (-18%) after the introduction of the system. A separate analysis for serious and fatal injury crashes revealed a non-significant decrease of 6%. A distinction according to crash type showed an almost significant decrease of 20% in the number of rear-end crashes whereas the number of single-vehicle crashes decreased by 15% (ns). However, no effect was found for side crashes. In addition to the analysis of the effects, a cost-benefit analysis was applied. The costs of the implementation of these systems were compared with the benefits of crash prevention. The cost-benefit analyses of the crash effects showed a benefits-to-costs ratio of approximately 0.7, which means that the costs tend to exceed the benefits. Taking into account the important margins of uncertainty with respect to both costs and benefits, we have also explored how the net benefits are affected by some key assumptions. The general conclusion is that there is no convincing evidence that the costs of the system currently outweigh the expected benefits in terms of crash prevention.


Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic/prevention & control , Automobile Driving/legislation & jurisprudence , Environment , Government Regulation , Safety , Wounds and Injuries/prevention & control , Belgium , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Humans , Weather , Wounds and Injuries/etiology
11.
Ergonomics ; 60(5): 701-713, 2017 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27376174

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the effect of two pavement markings (transverse rumble strips (TRS) and a backward pointing herringbone pattern (HP)) on speed and lateral control in and nearby curves. Two real-world curves with strong indications of a safety problem were replicated as realistic as possible in the simulator. Results show that both speed and lateral control differ between the curves. These behavioural differences are probably due to curve-related dissimilarities with respect to geometric alignment, cross-sectional design and speed limit. TRS and HP both influenced mean speed and mean acceleration/deceleration but not lateral control. TRS generated an earlier and more stable speed reduction than HP which induced significant speed reductions along the curve. The TRS gives drivers more time to generate the right expectations about the upcoming curve. When accidents occur primarily near the curve entry, TRS is recommended. The HP has the potential to reduce accidents at the curve end. Practitioner Summary: Two pavement markings (transversal rumble strips and HP) nearby dangerous curves were investigated in the driving simulator. TRS generated an earlier and more stable speed reduction than HP which induced speed reductions along the curve. The TRS gives drivers more time to generate right expectations about the upcoming curve.


Subject(s)
Automobile Driving , Environment Design , Safety , Acceleration , Accidents, Traffic/prevention & control , Adolescent , Adult , Computer Simulation , Deceleration , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Task Performance and Analysis , Young Adult
12.
Accid Anal Prev ; 98: 46-56, 2017 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27690148

ABSTRACT

Most existing traffic conflict indicators do not sufficiently take into account the severity of the injuries resulting from a collision had it occurred. Thus far, most of the indicators that have been developed express the severity of a traffic encounter as their proximity to a collision in terms of time or space. This paper presents the theoretical framework and the first implementation of Extended Delta-V as a measure of traffic conflict severity in site-based observations. It is derived from the concept of Delta-V as it is applied in crash reconstructions, which refers to the change of velocity experienced by a road user during a crash. The concept of Delta-V is recognised as an important predictor of crash outcome severity. The paper explains how the measure is operationalised within the context of traffic conflict observations. The Extended Delta-V traffic conflict measure integrates the proximity to a crash as well as the outcome severity in the event a crash would have taken place, which are both important dimensions in defining the severity of a traffic event. The results from a case study are presented in which a number of traffic conflict indicators are calculated for interactions between left turning vehicles and vehicles driving straight through a signalised intersection. The results suggest that the Extended Delta-V indicator seems to perform well at selecting the most severe traffic events. The paper discusses how the indicator overcomes a number of limitations of traditional measures of conflict severity. While this is a promising first step towards operationalising an improved measure of traffic conflict severity, additional research is needed to further develop and validate the indicator.


Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data , Automobile Driving/psychology , Conflict, Psychological , Accidents, Traffic/mortality , Deceleration , Environment Design , Humans
13.
Accid Anal Prev ; 94: 18-27, 2016 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27240125

ABSTRACT

For several decades policy makers worldwide have experimented with testimonials as a strategy to promote road safety supportive views in a wide variety of target populations such as recidivists and students. In its basic format, a (relative of) a victim or an offender brings a personal testimonial of what it is to experience a traffic accident. The underlying idea is that such a testimonial will emotionally affect participants, thereby stimulating them to cognitively reflect upon their own behavior and responsibility as a road user. Unfortunately, empirical literature on the effectiveness of this strategy is rather scarce and inconsistent. This study investigated the effect of a large-scale program with victim testimonials for high schools in Belgium on five socio-cognitive and behavioral variables drawn from the Theory of Planned Behavior (i.e., attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, behavioral intention and behavior). Moreover, this study investigated program effects on participants' cognitive and emotional estate and whether this influences the program's impact on socio-cognitive and behavioral variables. Our test sample included 1362 students, who were assigned to a baseline - follow-up group and a post-test - follow-up group. We questioned both groups, a first time (just before or after session attendance) on paper, and a second time (two months after session attendance) online. Results indicate the program had, both immediate and two months after attendance, small to medium positive effects on most socio-cognitive and behavioral variables. However, effects depended on participants' demographic profile, their baseline values on the socio-cognitive and behavioral variables, and the degree to which they were cognitively/emotionally affected by the program. We discuss the practical implications of these findings and formulate recommendations for the development of future interventions based on victim testimonials.


Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic/psychology , Automobile Driving/psychology , Behavior , Cognition , Health Education/methods , Safety , Accidents, Traffic/prevention & control , Adolescent , Attitude , Automobile Driving/education , Belgium , Female , Humans , Intention , Male , Program Evaluation , Schools , Students , Surveys and Questionnaires
14.
Accid Anal Prev ; 81: 153-66, 2015 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25988809

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Numerous signalized intersections worldwide have been equipped with enforcement cameras in order to tackle red light running and often also to enforce speed limits. However, various impact evaluation studies of red light cameras (RLCs) showed an increase of rear-end collisions (up to 44%). OBJECTIVE: The principal objective of this study is to provide a better insight in possible explaining factors for the increase in rear-end collisions that is caused by placing combined speed and red light cameras (SRLCs). METHOD: Real-world observations and driving simulator-based observations are combined. Video recordings at two signalized intersections where SRLCs were about to be installed are used to analyze rear-end conflicts, interactions and driver behavior in two conditions (i.e., with and without SRLC). Furthermore, one of these intersections was rebuilt in a driving simulator equipped with an eye tracking system. At this location, two test conditions (i.e., SRLC and SRLC with a warning sign) and one control condition (i.e., no SRLC) are examined. The data of 63 participants were used to estimate the risk of rear-end collisions by means of a Monte Carlo Simulation. RESULTS: The results of the on-site observation study reveal decreases in the number of red and yellow light violations, a shift (i.e., closer to the stop line) in the dilemma zone and a time headway reduction after the installation of the SRLC. Based on the driving simulator data, the odds of rear-end collisions (compared to the control condition) for the conditions with SRLC and SRLC+warning sign is 6.42 and 4.01, respectively. CONCLUSION: The real-world and driving simulator observations indicate that the risk of rear-end collisions increases when SRLCs are installed. However, this risk might decrease when a warning sign is placed upstream.


Subject(s)
Acceleration , Accidents, Traffic/prevention & control , Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data , Automobile Driving/psychology , Automobile Driving/statistics & numerical data , Law Enforcement/methods , Photography/instrumentation , Video Recording , Accidents, Traffic/legislation & jurisprudence , Accidents, Traffic/psychology , Adult , Aged , Automobile Driving/legislation & jurisprudence , Belgium , Computer Simulation , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Monte Carlo Method , Photography/legislation & jurisprudence , Risk Assessment/statistics & numerical data , Video Recording/legislation & jurisprudence , Young Adult
15.
Accid Anal Prev ; 80: 142-52, 2015 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25909390

ABSTRACT

This study investigates which crash characteristics influence the probability that the crash is reported in the television news. To this purpose, all news items from the period 2006-2012 about traffic crashes from the prime time news of two Belgian television channels are linked to the official injury crash database. Logistic regression models are built for the database of all injury crashes and for the subset of fatal crashes to identify crash characteristics that correlate with a lower or higher probability of being reported in the news. A number of significant biases in terms of crash severity, time, place, types of involved road users and victims' personal characteristics are found in the media reporting of crashes. More severe crashes are reported in the media more easily than less severe crashes. Significant fluctuations in media reporting probability through time are found in terms of the year and month in which the crash took place. Crashes during week days are generally less reported in the news. The geographical area (province) in which the crash takes place also has a significant impact on the probability of being reported in the news. Crashes on motorways are significantly more represented in the news. Regarding the age of the involved victims, a clear trend of higher media reporting rates of crashes involving young victims or young fatalities is observed. Crashes involving female fatalities are also more frequently reported in the news. Furthermore, crashes involving a bus have a significantly higher probability of being reported in the news, while crashes involving a motorcycle have a significantly lower probability. Some models also indicate a lower reporting rate of crashes involving a moped, and a higher reporting rate of crashes involving heavy goods vehicles. These biases in media reporting can create skewed perceptions in the general public about the prevalence of traffic crashes and eventually may influence people's behaviour.


Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic , Journalism/statistics & numerical data , Television/statistics & numerical data , Trauma Severity Indices , Wounds and Injuries , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Belgium , Bias , Child , Child, Preschool , Databases, Factual , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Motor Vehicles , Motorcycles , Probability , Time Factors , Young Adult
16.
Traffic Inj Prev ; 16(8): 786-91, 2015.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25793926

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: There is a growing trend in development and application of real-time crash risk prediction models within dynamic safety management systems. These real-time crash risk prediction models are constructed by associating crash data with the real-time traffic surveillance data (e.g., collected by loop detectors). The main objective of this article is to develop a real-time risk model that will potentially be utilized within traffic management systems. This model aims to predict the likelihood of crash occurrence on motorways. METHODS: In this study, the potential prediction variables are confined to traffic-related characteristics. Given that the dependent variable (i.e., traffic safety condition) is dichotomous (i.e., "no-crash" or "crash"), a rule-based approach is considered for model development. The performance of rule-based classifiers is further compared with the more conventional techniques like binary logistic regression and decision trees. The crash and traffic data used in this study were collected between June 2009 and December 2011 on a part of the E313 motorway in Belgium between Geel-East and Antwerp-East exits, on the direction toward Antwerp. RESULTS: The results of analysis show that several traffic flow characteristics such as traffic volume, average speed, and standard deviation of speed at the upstream loop detector station and the difference in average speed on upstream and downstream loop detector stations significantly contribute to the crash occurrence prediction. The final chosen classifier is able to predict 70% of crash occasions accurately, and it correctly predicts 90% of no-crash instances, indicating a 10% false alarm rate. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study can be used to predict the likelihood of crash occurrence on motorways within dynamic safety management systems.


Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data , Models, Statistical , Belgium , Humans , Risk Assessment/methods , Safety Management
17.
Traffic Inj Prev ; 16(2): 202-7, 2015.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24884352

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Roundabouts are a type of circular intersection control generally associated with a favorable influence on traffic safety. International studies of intersections converted to roundabouts indicate a strong reduction in injury crashes, particularly for crashes with fatal or serious injuries. Nevertheless, some crashes still occur at roundabouts. The present study aims to improve the understanding of roundabout safety by identifying crash types, locations, and factors that are associated with roundabout crashes. METHODS: An analysis of 399 crashes on 28 roundabouts in Flanders, Belgium, was carried out based on detailed crash descriptions; that is, crash data and collision diagrams. The crashes are sampled from police-reported crashes at roundabouts in the region of Flanders, Belgium. Collision diagrams of the registered crashes were used to distinguish 8 different crash types. The roundabout itself is divided into 11 detailed and different typical segments, according to previously established knowledge on the occurrence of crashes at roundabouts. The 8 roundabout crash types are examined by injury severity, crash location within the roundabout, type of roundabout, type of cycle facility, and type of involved road user. RESULTS: Four dominant crash types are identified: rear-end crashes, collisions with vulnerable road users, entering-circulating crashes, and single-vehicle collisions with the central island. Crashes with vulnerable road users and collisions with the central island are characterized by significantly higher proportions of injury crashes. About 80% of the crashes occurred on the entry lanes and the circulatory road (segments 1-4). Road users who are the most at risk to be involved in serious injury crashes at roundabouts are cyclists and moped riders. CONCLUSIONS: The main goal of this study was to identify and analyze dominant crash types at roundabouts by taking into account detailed information on the crash location. Some connections between certain roundabout crash types, their crash location, and roundabout design characteristics have been found.


Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data , Environment Design , Safety , Belgium/epidemiology , Bicycling/injuries , Bicycling/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Motorcycles/statistics & numerical data , Police , Records , Risk Factors , Trauma Severity Indices , Wounds and Injuries/epidemiology
18.
Accid Anal Prev ; 73: 132-40, 2014 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25217731

ABSTRACT

The present study evaluates the speed effects of fixed speed cameras on motorways. Two locations with speed cameras were extensively examined in a quasi-experiment: (1) a two-lane motorway and (2) a three-lane motorway, each with a posted speed limit of 120 km/h and sited in Flanders, Belgium. The effect is analysed through a before-and-after comparison of travel speeds. General time trends and fluctuations were controlled through the analysis of the speeds at comparison locations. At each of the two roads, data were gathered at five measurement points from 3 km upstream to 3.8 km downstream of the camera. Three outcomes were analysed: (1) average speed, (2) the odds of drivers exceeding the speed limit and (3) the odds of drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 10%. Speeds decreased on average by 6.4 km/h at the camera locations. Both the odds of drivers exceeding the speed limit (-80%) and the odds of drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 10% (-86%) decreased considerably. However, before and beyond the cameras the speeds hardly, if at all, reduced. Moreover, the analyses of the speed profiles before and beyond the cameras show that drivers do slow down quite abruptly before the camera and speed up again after passing the camera. It is concluded that a V-profile is found in the spatial speed distribution for both locations.


Subject(s)
Automobile Driving , Dangerous Behavior , Law Enforcement/methods , Photography/instrumentation , Accidents, Traffic/prevention & control , Automobile Driving/psychology , Belgium , Humans , Male , Safety
19.
Accid Anal Prev ; 73: 313-22, 2014 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25265193

ABSTRACT

Automated section speed control is a fairly new traffic safety measure that is increasingly applied to enforce speed limits. The advantage of this enforcement system is the registration of the average speed at an entire section, which would lead to high speed limit compliances and subsequently to a reduction in the vehicle speed variability, increased headway, more homogenised traffic flow and increased traffic capacity. However, the number of studies that analysed these effects are limited. The present study evaluates the speed effect of two section speed control systems in Flanders, Belgium. Both sections are located in the opposite direction of a three-lane motorway with a posted speed limit of 120 km/h. Speed data were collected at different points: from 6 km before the entrance of the section to 6 km downstream from the section. The effect was analysed through a before- and after comparison of travel speeds. General time trends and fluctuations were controlled through the analysis of speeds at comparison locations. On the enforced sections considerable decreases were found of about 5.84 km/h in the average speed, 74% in the odds of drivers exceeding the speed limit and 86% in the odds of drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 10%. At the locations up- and downstream from the section also favourable effects were found for the three outcomes. Furthermore a decrease in the speed variability could be observed at all these data points.


Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic/prevention & control , Automobile Driving , Environment Design , Acceleration , Automation , Belgium , Humans , Interrupted Time Series Analysis
20.
Accid Anal Prev ; 73: 53-64, 2014 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25173998

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to examine the relative importance of young novice drivers' family climate on their driving behavior. A sample of young novice drivers (N=171) between the age of 17 and 24, who held their permanent (or temporary) driver's license for no longer than one year, participated. The questionnaire included items related to the participants' family climate, 3 socio-cognitive determinants (i.e., attitude, locus of control and social norm), and risky driving behaviors. We expected both family climate and the socio-cognitive determinants to exert a direct effect on risky driving. Furthermore we hypothesized that the socio-cognitive determinants would moderate the impact of family climate on risky driving. The results showed that the effect of family climate on risky driving only originated from one single factor (i.e., noncommitment). Besides that, the results confirmed the importance of the three socio-cognitive determinants to the degree that attitude, locus of control, and social norm significantly predicted the self-reported risky driving. In line of what we hypothesized, attitude moderated the relationship between noncommitment and risky driving. Lastly, we found an unexpected three-way interaction which indicated that locus of control moderated the relation between noncommitment and risky driving only when young drivers' attitude was risk-supportive. We recommend scholars and practitioners to take into account the interaction between external sources of influence (such as an individual's family climate) and more personally oriented dispositions (such as an individual's attitude, social norm and locus of control) when trying to explain and change young novices' risky driving.


Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Attitude , Automobile Driving/psychology , Family Characteristics , Internal-External Control , Risk-Taking , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Parent-Child Relations , Self Report , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
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