International and national studies indicate that street width plays a role in accident frequency. In particular, narrower street widths promote lower vehicular speeds, which in turn reduce accidents and improve pedestrian safety. Conversely, wider streets result in higher vehicular speeds and therefore increased accident frequency. Another parameter implicated in accident frequency is on-street parking utilisation. On-street parking has the effect of reducing street width, thereby fostering slower vehicular speeds and reduced accident rates. However, a robust treatment of the role of parking utilisation on accident frequency, for varying street widths, has not hitherto been undertaken and moreover, the relevant literature has been indicative, yet equivocal. Thus, this study serves to elucidate the effect of parking utilisation on accident frequency for various residential roads measuring 7 to 13 metres. A total of 163 two-way road sections, with an average length of 170 metres, and their corresponding accident history from 1996 to 2001, were included in the analysis. The results demonstrate that parking utilisation affects accident frequency for the 12 and 13 metre roads, and there is a tendency for accident frequency to increase as parking utilisation increases. However, for 8 and 11 metre roads accidents decrease with increasing levels of parking. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. 0612AR242E.
Samenvatting