Review and ranking of crash risk factors related to the road infrastructure

The objective of this paper is the review and comparative assessment of infrastructure related crash risk factors, with the explicit purpose of ranking them based on how detrimental they are towards road safety (i.e. crash risk, frequency and severity). This analysis was carried out within the SafetyCube project, which aimed to identify and quantify the effects of risk factors and measures related to behaviour, infrastructure or vehicles, and integrate the results in an innovative road safety Decision Support System (DSS). The evaluation was conducted by examining studies from the existing literature. These were selected and analysed using a specifically designed common methodology. Infrastructure risk factors were structured in a hierarchical taxonomy of 10 areas with several risk factors in each area (59 specific risk factors in total), examples include: alignment features (e.g. horizontal-vertical alignment deficiencies), cross-section characteristics (e.g. superelevation, lanes, median and shoulder deficiencies), road surface deficiencies, workzones, junction deficiencies (interchange and at-grade) etc. Consultation with infrastructure stakeholders (international organisations, road authorities, etc.) took place in dedicated workshops to identify user needs for the DSS, as well as “hot topics” of particular importance. The following analysis methodology was applied to each infrastructure risk factor: (i) A search for relevant international literature, (ii) Selection of studies on the basis of rigorous criteria, (iii) Analysis of studies in terms of design, methods and limitations, (iv) Synthesis of findings - and meta-analysis, when feasible. In total 243 recent and high quality studies were selected and analysed. Synthesis of results was made through 39 ‘Synopses’ (including 4 original meta-analyses) on individual risk factors or groups of risk factors. This allowed the ranking of infrastructure risk factors into three groups: risky (11 risk factors), probably risky (18 risk factors), and unclear (7 risk factors)

Road safety training through a master course in Belarus

Road safety is a multidisciplinary and multivariate scientific field, where every proposed action and measure should be developed and supported through strategies in the areas of engineering, enforcement, education and emergency medical services, taking into consideration social and economic aspects as well. However tools do not create the road safety future, trained professionals do. A robust educational curriculum is the only mean to communicate the necessary insights and knowledge within the constantly evolving environment of road safety. The objective of this paper is the comprehensive proposal for the development and testing, in Belarus, of a Masters Course in road safety according to the Bologna process requirements. In the framework of this proposal, , the requirements set, the masters’ curricula modules as well as the relevant expected learning outcomes are described

Road traffic casualties in the elderly in Europe: analysis of macroscopic and in-depth data

Road traffic casualties in the elderly in Europe: analysis of macroscopic and in-depth dat

Compilation of analyses of risks and measures, deliverable 8.2 of the H2020 project SafetyCube

This deliverable provides information on how the information on road safety risks and measures that has been collected within SafetyCube, is processed, stored and made available to users through the SafetyCube Decision Support System (DSS) [...continues]

Developing the European road safety decision support system

The Decision Support System (DSS) is one of the key objectives of the European co-funded research project SafetyCube in order to better support evidence-based policy making. Results will be assembled in the form of a DSS that will present for each suggested road safety measure: details of risk factor tackled, measure, best estimate of casualty reduction effectiveness, cost-benefit evaluation and analytic background. The development of the DSS presents a great potential to further support decision making at local, regional, national and international level, aiming to fill in the current gap of comparable measures effectiveness evaluation. In order to provide policy-makers and industry with comprehensive and well-structured information about measures, it is essential that a systems approach is used to ensure the links between risk factors and all relevant safety measures are made fully visible. The DSS is intended to become a major source of information for industry, policy-makers and the wider road safety community

Analysis of the stakeholder survey: perceived priority and availability of data and tools and relation to the stakeholders' characteristics. Deliverable 1.5 (Vol. 1) of the EC FP7 project DaCoTA

Analysis of the stakeholder survey: perceived priority and availability of data and tools and relation to the stakeholders' characteristics. Deliverable 1.5 (Vol. 1) of the EC FP7 project DaCoT

State of the art on measuring driver state and technology-based risk prevention and mitigation Findings from the i-DREAMS project

Advanced vehicle automation and the incorporation of more digital technologies in the task of driving, bring about new challenges in terms of the operator/vehicle/environment framework, where human factors play a crucial role. This paper attempts to consolidate the state-of-the-art in driver state measuring, as well as the corresponding technologies for risk assessment and mitigation, as part of the i-DREAMS project. Initially, the critical indicators for driver profiling with regards to safety risk are identified and the most prominent task complexity indicators are established. This is followed by linking the aforementioned indicators with efficient technologies for real-time measuring and risk assessment and finally a brief overview of interventions modules is outlined in order to prevent and mitigate collision risk. The results of this review will provide an overall multimodal set of factors and technologies for driver monitoring and risk mitigation, essential for road safety researchers and practitioners worldwide<br

How safe are cyclists on European roads?

Cyclists, while relatively small in proportion with respect to motorized vehicles, have a high level of vulnerability, creating a significant need to better understand the characteristics specific to this user group. A good insight into the problem provides an opportunity to improve the road safety of this cheap, convenient and environmentally friendly mode of transport. In 2013, more than 2.000 cyclists were killed in road traffic accidents in 27 EU countries, constituting almost 8% of all road accident fatalities for that year. Although a considerable decrease by 32% in the total number of bicycle fatalities in noted within the decade 2004 – 2013, it is still smaller than the respective reduction of the overall road fatalities by 45%.The objective of this research is the analysis of basic road safety parameters related to cyclists in European countries, by the use of the EU CARE database with disaggregate data on road accidents, as well as of other international data sources (OECD/IRTAD, Eurostat, etc.). Time-series data on road accidents involving cyclists from 27 EU countries over a period of 10 years (2004-2013) are correlated with basic safety parameters, such as road type, season of the year, age and gender. Data from the EU Injury Database are used to identify injury patterns and improve the assessment of injury severity, and additional insight into accident causation for cyclists is offered through the use of in-depth accident data from the EC SafetyNet project Accident Causation System. The results of the analysis allow for an overall assessment of the cyclists safety level in Europe in comparison to other modes of transport, thus providing useful support to decision makers working for the improvement of safety in the European road network

Characteristics and causes of heavy goods vehicles and buses accidents in Europe

While Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) and buses account for just a small proportion of the vehicle fleet or the total vehicle kms travelled in the EU, they are over-involved in severe road accidents, creating a significant need to better understand the characteristics specific to this vehicle group. In 2013, more than 4.500 persons were killed in road traffic accidents involving HGVs or bus/coach in EU, constituting almost 18% of all road accident fatalities for that year. The objective of this research is the analysis of basic road safety parameters related to HGV and buses/coaches in European countries, by the use of the EU CARE database with disaggregate data on road accidents, as well as of other international data sources. Time-series data on road accidents involving HGVs and buses/coaches for 27 EU countries over a period of 10 years are correlated with basic safety parameters, such as area type, season of the year, casualty age and gender, as well as the day of the week. Additional insight into accident causation is offered through analysis of a set of in-depth accident data from the EC SafetyNet project Accident Causation System. The results of the analysis allow for an overall assessment of the HGV and buses/coaches safety level in Europe in comparison to other modes of transport, thus providing useful support to decision makers working for the improvement of safety in the European road network

856 comparative analysis of road accidents by gender in Europe

856 comparative analysis of road accidents by gender in Europ