This report deals with the possible road safety effects of intelligent transport systems (ITS) in the light of Dutch road authorities’ policy in this area. ITS developments succeed each other rapidly and will have road safety effects. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether road authorities correctly anticipate ITS developments. To answer this question, the literature was studied, an analysis using sustainably-safe (DV) principles was carried out, and road authorities, with an emphasis on municipal road authorities, were interviewed. ITS developments that are (probably) relevant for road safety are mostly in-vehicle. There are two very promising systems: (1) intelligent speed adaptation (ISA); and (2) navigation systems, provided they are ergonomically designed and do not distract from the primary driving task. The purposes of both systems overlap with the purposes of the DV principles that apply to the infrastructure, especially concerning desired speeding behaviour (ISA) and searching behaviour (navigation). ISA will not be for sale for the time being, at least not in the `closed' version which intervenes instead of informs. For navigation systems it is not yet clear what effect is to be expected. The conclusion is that, in the short/medium-term, there will be no overlap between ITS and DV measures. The survey among road authorities showed that they follow the developments, being especially well-informed about ISA, but, provisionally, see no reason for changing their infrastructural plans. For the time being therefore, road authorities react adequately to the developments, and distribution of additional information is not necessary.
Abstract