Could an inadequate comprehension of what a road system truly is explain why many users were misled and thus failed on the newly opened Euroway 18 in Norway in 2001? The "instrumental" understanding of the road as infrastructure has long been dominant. A holistic, more "communicative" view on complex road systems is considered necessary. In 2005 a Norwegian study introduced a completely new understanding of the road as a mass medium. The model found strong support in recognized media philosophy and communications theory. A scientifically controlled interview with traffic sign experts confirmed that the competence to handle complex road communications problems is incomplete. Research data proved that out of 62 risks detected in 4 roundabouts, 46 problems had a "communicative nature" and only 16 an "instrumental nature". Sign experts (100 %) admitted that communications skillsare excluded in their education, but strongly needed. Sign experts cling to an instrumental understanding (>80%) but admit that up to 90 % of severe safety problems have a communicative nature. Recognizing the road as a mass medium thus provides new opportunities for road safety work. For the covering abstract see ITRD E139491.
Samenvatting