This study was performed within the framework of the work package "Standardization of Methods for Assessing Enforcement" (WP6), which is a part of the European project ESCAPE (Enhanced Safety Coming from Appropriate Police Enforcement). Aiming at development of standardized methods for evaluating enforcement measures, it is necessary, first of all, to determine parameters for description. The latter implies a classification table to be developed which will contain definitions of variables, important criteria and methods applied in the enforcement studies performed. Thus, the objective of this study was to comprehensively review assessment methods and tools applied by evaluation studies of police enforcement throughout the world during the last fifteen years and, this way, to provide a basis for the development of a classification table mentioned above. The present report provides a concise description of evaluation methods applied in each study reviewed whereas the descriptors and methods are stratified in accordance with four topics of analysis: police activity indices, drivers' attitudes, drivers' behaviour, accident analysis. These characteristics are discussed in the context of specific enforcement areas such as automatic speed enforcement; conventional speed enforcement; red light running; use of safety belts; alcohol impaired driving; all violations enforced. A general summary of descriptive variables and assessment methods, relevant to the four topics analysed, is also provided. (A)
Abstract