The principal aims of this thesis are to define suitable measures for safer pedestrian and cycle crossings on arterial roads, to implement these measures on a large scale and to acquire an insight into their effects on road users' safety, experiences, mobility and the environment, by creating a 30 km/h milieu at the above crossings. Two characteristically different types of measures, physical measures and variable message signs, based on three principles, lower speed, no priority and improved and relevant information, are tested within the framework of this project. The theoretical contribution is largely consistent with the reality that prevails in interactions between motorists and unprotected road users at interaction points on arterial roads, i.e. the mistakes of both motorists and unprotected road users in interactions created safety problems. These mistakes can, to a large extent, be corrected by the introduction of suitable measures in the road and traffic environment. The results of the study verify both positive and negative effects of physical measures in that; speeds have been reduced, safety has improved, road users are both satisfied and dissatisfied with the implemented measures, time consumption and exhaust emission have increased somewhat and the noise level has decreased. (Author/publisher)
Abstract