Two separate studies on traffic safety and ride comfort, respectively, are presented in this paper. Regression analyses have mainly been used for this study. In brief, the results from the regression analyses indicate that ruts have little effect on traffic safety, under certain circumstances there is even a tendency for improved traffic safety. The results, however, clearly show that the accident rate increases with increasing unevenness (IRI). The primary aim of the ride comfort study was to investigate, in a field study, the relationship between the unevenness of the road surface and the perceived ride comfort of motorists, as well as their willingness to pay for improved driving comfort. The test subjects were asked which factors are significant for driving comfort. It was found that the road surface condition was considered to be of greatest importance for the ride comfort, followed by the car, the behaviour of other road users and good visibility. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E212095.
Abstract