Abstract

Recently, many of the foreign traffic-safety analyses point out the low level of traffic safety in multi-lane roundabouts. This problem is resolved in several ways in different countries however, the solution, whereby the number of conflict points is diminished (e.g. turbo roundabout) has proven to be the most successful. However, the turbo roundabout also has its deficiencies: it has conflict crossing points and larger reconstruction of the existing two-lane roundabout is needed when the turbo roundabout is to be implemented instead of the existing one. In the paper a new type of roundabout has been introduced the roundabout with “depressed” lanes for right turning (“the flower-roundabout”). Financially speaking, the main advantage of the new type of roundabout is that it can be implemented within the dimensions of the already existing “normal” two-lane roundabout. From the traffic-safety point of view, the main advantage of the new type of roundabout is that it has no crossing conflict points. V zadnjem času mnoge tuje prometno-varnostne analize kažejo na nizko raven prometne varnosti večpasovnih krožnih križišč. Ta problem v različnih državah rešujejo na različne načine, kot najuspešnejši pa se je pokazal način z zmanjševanjem števila konfliktnih točk (npr. turbo krožno križišče). Vendar ima tudi turbo krožno križišče svoje pomankljivosti: ima konfliktne točke križanja ter v primeru, da želimo izvesti turbo krožno križišče namesto obstoječega dvopasovnega križišča, je potrebna večja rekonstrukcija križišča. V prispevku je predstavljen novi tip krožnega križišča - krožno križišče s "pritisnjenimi" pasovi za desno zavijanje. Glavna prednost takšnega tipa krožnega križišča je, da ga je možno izvesti znotraj meja obstoječega dvopasovnega krožišča. S stališča prometne varnosti ta tip krožnega križišča nima konfliktnih točk križanja.

Abstract

Traffic accidents that occur on freeways often end tragically because of high driving speed. Wrong-way driving is also one of the causes of accidents on freeways. Research is based on the analysis of traffic accident data caused by wrong-way driving on freeways and considering valid technical specifications for connections and junctions design elements. Research is based on the analysis of the data of traffic accidents that occurred because of wrong-way driving on freeways and on the consideration of valid technical specifications concerning connections and junction design elements. The thesis presents possible countermeasures for prevention of wrong-way driving and consequential decrease in the number of traffic accidents. The proposed prevention countermeasures of wrong-way driving on freeways could greatly reduce incorrect traffic vehicle movements that are the consequence of wrong-way driving and thus positively enhance the traffic safety level on freeways. Prometne nesreče na avtocestah so zaradi velike hitrosti vožnje velikokrat tragične. Eden od vzrokov nastanka prometnih nesreč na avtocesti je tudi nepravilna smer vožnje. Raziskovalno delo je zasnovano na analizi podatkov o prometnih nesrečah zaradi nepravilne smeri vožnje na avtocestah, ter na osnovipoznavanja posameznih projektnih elementov vozlišč in priključkov. Predlagani ukrepi za preprečevanje nepravilne smeri vožnje na avtocestah lahko v veliki meri zmanjšajo število nepravilnih prometnih manevrov, ki imajo za posledico nepravilno smer vožnje in s tem pozitivno vplivajo na raven prometne varnosti na avtocestah.

Abstract

This paper provides a system dynamic model for reducing the number of motorway accidents due to wrong-way driving. Motorway accidents are often fatal due to high speeds. It is therefore necessary to carry out all the possible countermeasures in order to achieve adequate traffic management. One of the reasons for motorway accidents is driving in the wrong direction. Based on the analysis of the data on motorway accidents caused by driving in the wrong direction and based on the knowledge of individual project elements of junctions and slip roads, this paper will focus on this area. The possible countermeasures, presented here for preventing drivers from driving in the wrong direction on motorways drastically reduce the number of U-turn maneuvers that result in driving in the wrong direction and influence the level of safety on motorways. With the help of this model of system dynamics the countermeasures for reducing the number of such drivers will be confirmed and their effects will be shown. Članek podaja model zniževanja prometnih nesreč zaradi nepravilne smeri vožnje na avtocestah. Prometne nesreče na avtocestah so zaradi velike hitrosti vožnje velikokrat tragične, zato je potrebno izvesti vse možne ukrepe za ustrezno upravljanja prometa. Eden od vzrokov nastanka prometnih nesreč na avtocesti je nepravilna smer vožnje. Na podlagi analiz podatkov o prometnih nesrečah zaradi nepravilne smeri vožnje na avtocestah ter na osnovi poznavanja posameznih projektnih elementov vozlišč in priključkov se pričujoče delo usmerja na to področje. Predstavljeni možni ukrepi za preprečevanje nepravilne smeri vožnje na avtocestah v veliki meri znižujejo število nepravilnih prometnih manevrov, ki imajo za posledico nepravilno smer vožnje in s tem pozitivno vplivajo na raven prometne varnosti na avtocestah. S pomočjo modela sistemske dinamike bo potrjena upravičenost ukrepov za zmanjševanje števila primerov nepravilne smeri vožnje in prikazani njihovi učinki.

Abstract

The paper is based on the question whether the existing (legislation determined) method for determining the visibility length on passive protected level railroad crossings insures the relevant level of traffic safety. It has been recognised that using of such method does not provide stopping of road driver vehicles in front of railroad crossing in all conditions. Based on such conclusion a new approach to determining visibility length on passive protected level railroad crossing is proposed. The new approach is based on the assumption that it is necessary, primarily on level railroad crossings with local roads to recognize the worst possible and expected road and weather conditions. The testing of the proposed method in the real environment has shown that at lower speeds of road vehicles there is almost no difference, and that important benefits are recognised for the speeds of 30 and 50km/h where longer stopping distances of road vehicles have been detected (road vehicle can stop safely in front of a rail crossing) with almost the same visibility lengths. The use of the proposed method could have important impact on the increase of traffic safety on passive protected level railroad crossings. Pričujoči prispevek temelji na vprašanju, če obstoječa zakonsko določena metoda za določevanje dolžine preglednosti na pasivno zaščitenih železniških prehodih zagotavlja ustrezni nivo prometne varnosti. Ugotovljeno je, da uporaba obstoječe metode ne omogoča vozniku motornega vozila zaustavitve vozila v vseh pogojih. Na osnovi takšne ugotovitve je predlagan nov pristop k določevanju dolžine preglednosti na pasivno zaščitenih nivojskih železniških prehodih. Nov pristop temelji na predpostavki, da je nujno, predvsem na nivojskih železniških prehodih lokalnih cest, upoštevati najslabše možne in pričakovane cestne in vremenske pogoje. Preizkus predlagane metode v realnem prometnem okolju je pokazal, da pri nižjih hitrosti cestnih vozil skoraj ni razlike, pomembnejše prednosti se pokažejo pri hitrostih 30 in 50 km/h, kjer so ugotovljene večje dolžine zaustavljanja cestnega vozila (cestno vozila se lahko varno zaustavi pred nivojskim železniškim prehodom) pri skoraj enakih dolžinah preglednega polja. Uporaba predlagane metode lahko pomembno prispeva k povečanju prometne varnosti na nivojskih železniških prehodih zaščitenimi samo z Andrejevim križem.

Abstract

In industrialized countries people over 50 years of age represent a rapidly growing part of population. Their lifestyle is also becoming more active, which means that the percentage of older drivers in the population of all drivers is also increasing. Many different studies have shown that elderly drivers are more frequently involved in specific types of accidents, especially at intersections. In the past 15 years there was a trend of increasing popularity of roundabouts in Slovenia. Their introduction was generally supported by the arguments of increased traffic-flow capacity and traffic safety as well. The studies on which these arguments are based were performed with an “ideal” type of driver in mind the one that fully understands new rules and reacts correctly in all situations that may occur at such intersections, where there are no light signals to guide them. An elderly person does not necessarily conform to that ideal and if the percentage of elderly drivers became significant, the premises of the above mentioned studies may not be correct anymore which in turn implies that their results could also be questioned. The present study concentrated on the evaluation of traffic safety of elderly drivers, at various types of intersection, from their own perspective. Various statistical analyses of obtained data were performed. The most important finding was that we may claim, with high degree of probability, that the average person of the age of over 60 feels more unsafe at double-lane roundabouts than they would feel had the same intersection been equipped with traffic lights. Elderly traffic participants will always cause more accidents or participate in them due to hazardous factors. Challenge, arising from many different studies and researches, is in studying what measures and solutions can reduce the risk for elderly participants. Veliko število študij kaže, da se starost prebivalstva povečuje. To velja tudi za Evropsko unijo, hkrati pa tudi za Slovenijo. Statistične analize kažejo, da se v državah Evropske unije življenjska doba prebivalstva letno povišuje. V Sloveniji je 21,6% populacije starejše od 60 let. Dejstvo je, da je večina teh ljudi udeležencev v prometu, predvsem v cestnem prometu. Članek prikazuje rezultate študije, katere osnovni namen je bil analiza dejanske varnosti starejših udeležencev v cestnem prometu v Sloveniji. Raziskava je imela dva osnovna cilja. Prvi cilj je bil ugotoviti, ali se starejši udeleženci v obstoječih prometnih razmerah počutijo varne. Drugi cilj je bil usmerjen v ugotavljanje varnosti starejših oseb v različnih tipih nivojskih križišč, kjer so udeleženi v cestnem prometnem dogajanju kot pešci, kolesarji in vozniki. Rezultati anketiranja so pokazali, da se največje število starejših oseb, ne glede na to, ali so to pešci, kolesarji ali vozniki motornega vozila, najbolj varno počuti v semaforiziranih križiščih in najmanj varno v dvopasovnih krožnih križiščih. Starejši udeleženci v prometu bodo zaradi dejavnikov tveganja vedno med tistimi skupinami udeležencev cestnega prometa, ki pogosteje povzročajo nesreče oziroma so v njih udeleženi. Izziv, ki izhaja iz opravljenih študij in raziskav, je povezan predvsem s proučevanjem ukrepov in rešitev, s katerimi lahko vplivamo na zmanjšanje tveganja starejših udeležencev v prometu.