The aim of Dwell-on-Red is to reduce the number and severity of pedestrian-vehicle crashes that occur at signalled intersections located near licensed premises during high-alcohol hours. The treatment involves reverting to an all-red phase when there is no traffic demand, i.e. when no vehicles are present at the intersection and detected by the signal detectors before each stop-line. This treatment is intended to bring about a reduction in the average speed of vehicles passing through the intersection. According to the literature a reduction in average speed also implies a reduction in crash occurrence and crash outcome severity (e.g. Josksch, 1993; Finch et al., 1994; Andersson and Nilsson 1997; Kloeden et al. 1997, 2001; Nilsson, 2004, Elvik et al., 2004; OECD/ECMT, 2006). The Dwell-on-Red treatment is presently being trialled at a Melbourne metropolitan intersection as part of a MUARC Baseline funded project. The MUARC Baseline sponsors including: Department of Justice, VicRoads, TAC and the Victorian Police. Dwell-on-Red has previously been trialled in Ballarat where it was found to significantly reduce the average speed of vehicles approaching the intersection (Lennè et al., 2007). In order to determine the extent of the traffic safety problems during high-alcohol hours at this intersection it was agreed to carry out a conflict observation study. A key objective of the observation study was to determine the suitability of the Dwell-on-Red treatment at the site in relation to the existing safety problems. It was anticipated that observation studies in addition to an analysis of existing crash data would provide an invaluable insight into past and present levels of safety, and ultimately result in recommendations for safety enhancement. (Author/publisher) This publication may be accessed by Internet users at: http://www.ictct.org/workshop.php?workshop_nr=27
Abstract