This study is part of a series of studies into the relationship between street lighting level and road accidents in the Netherlands. The study reviewed the data for approximately 2,000 kilometres of the Dutch motorway. The study utilised all accident data in 1989-1991, selected on the basis of through main carriageways on motorways outside built-up areas. The collected data and results respectively were entered into a research matrix, composed of a number of: (1) traffic intensity categories; and (2) luminance categories. Important conclusions are: (I) Roughly one fifth of the Dutch motorways is provided with street lighting; (II) A relatively large proportion of night-time accidents occurs on unlit road sections; (III) The night-time mobility (kilometres travelled) on both lit and unlit road sections on average amounts to one quarter of the total daily intensity on an annual basis; (IV) The risk experienced on motorways tends to be greater at night than during the daytime, both on lit and unlit road sections; and (V) a correlation between traffic intensity and luminance level concerning nighttime risk is likely, although the pattern indicated by the calculated risks and the resultant night/day risk ratios offers only an indication.
Samenvatting