Within the scope of the investigation, the existing information on the effects of overtaking-by-trucks bans was updated to include the results of recent studies, new findings were opened up and decision-making recommendations relating to the areas of traffic flows, traffic safety and the environment were developed: (1) Traffic flow: The results of the traffic investigation show that - on the whole - those effects result that are to be expected: Passenger cars benefit in terms of speed. Trucks become slightly slower. Overall a reduction in speed variances is to be seen so that overtaking-by-trucks bans bring about a more homogeneous flow of traffic. In addition relationships between speeds and gradients can be observed. There is general acceptance of overtaking-by-trucks bans by heavy traffic drivers. No difference is found in the observation of the overtaking bans between domestic and foreign truck drivers; (2) Traffic safety: The evaluations in terms of traffic safety show only small differences overall in terms of the before-after comparisons. Statistically significant reductions in the number of accidents are shown on only one section. Sections with a positive balance in terms of the before-ban/after-ban comparison are also observed to show a reduction in the severity of accidents. In addition it can be shown that good positive developments occur in conjunction with local special features; and (3) Recommendations: Finally the findings obtained from the individual sections are summarised and presented. Practical recommendations for the application of overtaking-by-trucks bans are derived from the results.
Samenvatting