Intersections are places with a high probability of accidents. In Austria 2006 the most car accidents happen on intersections. The reasons for accidents on intersections are widely ranged and go from maladjusted speed and inattentiveness to inappropriate communication with other road user. In order to have a closer look on the reasons of accidents and to prepare possible solutions some questions can be raised: What kind of behaviour and communication of car drivers is possible approaching an intersection? What kind of mistakes could happen? What is the preferred/planned behaviour with regard to speed, raised attentiveness or communication process of a car driver before an intersection in order to avoid accidents? How could mistakes be avoided from an infrastructure point of view? Answers to these question are given with the help of the results of a driving behaviour observation study which was carried out in Vienna. The observations were based on the "Viennese driving test" in which a standardised and a free observer look at the driving behaviour. 109 test persons were observed on a 40 minutes ride within build-up areas and motorway sections. During these rides many different kind of intersections (intersections with and without traffic lights and zebra crossings, different give-way situations etc.) where crossed. Three special intersections we are selected for a more precise analyses. Based on the experiences and results from the driving behaviour study also possible solution for the improvement of intersections will be given. (Author/publisher) This publication may be accessed by Internet users at: http://www.ictct.org/workshop.php?workshop_nr=27
Abstract