The occurrence of an accident is seldom witnessed by any research worker in the field of traffic safety. Therefore analysis of the lack of traffic safety is difficult. Often earlier data are used, the information relating accidents which have occurred previously. With the aid of reconstructions an attempt is made to study the cause of an accident. An alternative to this method is the study of traffic behaviour, in particular the behaviour which causes danger. The most frequently applied method is the study of conflict behaviour. Conflict behaviour is a form of taking risks in traffic. A traffic conflict is an observable situation in which two or more road users approach each other in space and time to such an extent that there is a risk of collision if their movements remained unchanged. The essence of the method is not, as is often said, the forecasting of accidents, but the determination of unsafe locations. There are now about ten conflict observation techniques developed in europe and north-america. Each technique has its own specific advantages for the originating country. The dutch objective conflict technique for operation and research doctor is discussed in more detail.
Samenvatting