Traffic signals are intended to control vehicle flow through road intersections so as to improve flow rates, and to segregate traffic so as to reduce the potential for conflict. Their world- wide use indicates the general success of such signalling systems. However, it has been found that some types of accidents continue to occur at moderately high rates at signalised intersections. Because of such findings, an evaluation has been carried out of factors bearing on the performance of the overall driver- vehicle- road system in the vicinity of signalised intersections. The interaction of human performance and decision- making characteristics with situational variables has been considered to develop a listing of potential contributing factors to such intersection accidents. Based on this listing, possible countermeasures have been suggested. Road safety and traffic authority accident data have been used in this study to develop an understanding of accident patterns at intersections fitted with traffic lights in recent years. Such data, along with a review of the literature, formed the basis for the identification of contributing factors. (Author/publisher)
Abstract