The report summarises the results of a survey of accidents on channelised junctions in rural areas. Accidents were related to traffic volume and general lay-out, signposting, time of day, classification of roads, etc. Data for 99 junctions were recorded. The traffic volume was on average 2,9 million vehicles per junction and per year and the recorded number of accidents was 331. The main findings are as follows: four-way junctions to which channelisation measures have been applied, have an accident rate less than half of that for all junctions. T-junctions have an accident rate one third of that for four-way junctions. If one four-way junction is replaced by two t-junctions, the accident rate is reduced by one third. If t-junctions are located near each other so as to form a staggered intersection, the reduction is less. When roads crossing each other belong to the same type, accident rate at junctions is higher compared to junctions, where roads belong to different types (primary /secondary). Accident rate increases with decreasing traffic volume on primary roads. The actual lay-out and design of junctions show great differences. This may confuse drivers. Stricter rules for design and signposting seem to be needed.
Abstract