The study consisted of a statistical analysis of accidents (resulting in death, injury or material damage only) registered on the main carriageways of motorways, distinguished according to driving direction and number of lanes. Only those sections of road which did not contain acceleration lanes, exit ramps, bifurcations or weaving sections were considered. In order to discover the (complex) influence of differences in road and traffic characteristics between the group of non-porous asphalt (DAB) road sections and the group of porous asphalt (ZOAB) road sections, statistical analysis techniques and testing methods were applied. The result of the study is that the safety of porous asphalt (ZOAB) is equivalent to that of standard non-porous asphalt (DAB). A spread in the result was shown, so that the anticipated actual difference in risk may vary between - 10 to 15% (ZOAB safer) and + 10 to 15% (DAB safer). In addition, this study did not discover a statistically significant difference between the risks associated with the DAB and ZOAB road sections during either rainy or dry conditions. Perhaps a better visibility on ZOAB roads during wet or rainy conditions causes motorists to drive at higher speeds and with less vehicle spacing than on DAB roads during wet or rainy conditions. It is recommended to study these aspects of traffic behaviour by means of measurements. It is recommended to also conduct study into the road hazard associated with the application of porous asphalt (ZOAB) for those sections of motorway where vehicles enter, exit or weave. Also published in: Proceedings of the conference Road Safety in Europe and Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP), Lille, France, September 26-28, 1994, VTI Konferens No. 2A, Part 4, p. 163-171, as ITRD 882578 (see C 6148 (In: C 6136 S)).
Samenvatting