Further data to validate the use of traffic conflict techniques in assessing junction safety have been collected from a study at a rural dual carriageway intersection in Gloucestershire. As in the earlier study it was found that accident data and data for serious conflicts correlated well both by time of day and place of occurrence in the intersection. The relative frequencies of various types of conflict (e.g. blocking manoeuvres, overtaking and "follow out" cases) in most cases substantiate those found in the earlier study. Observation of vehicle manoeuvres prior to and during serious conflicts again revealed that vehicles other than the two immediately involved were present in over 60 per cent of the cases. Unlike the earlier site the conflict and accident rates at this intersection increased with increasing vehicle flow. The study of vehicle conflicts at this intersection has led further to an assessment of driver behaviour and other associated factors. These include driver age, crossing time, path taken and vehicle speed. The investigation provides further justification for the use of the traffic conflict technique and indicates ways in which it can be developed. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting