Yielding behavior and traffic conflicts at cyclist crossing facilities on channelized right-turn lanes : the influence of the priority regulations. Channelized right-turn lanes (CRTLs) are a means of improving traffic flow efficiency, enabling right-turning drivers to bypass traffic lights at signalised intersections (for right-hand drive countries). In many cases, crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists are placed on these right-turn lanes. Previous studies examining the safety performance of CRTLs indicate that they increase overall safety levels but hint that certain issues regarding vulnerable road users may still exist. This study investigated these safety issues through site-based observations of yielding behaviour and the effect of the priority rule on cyclists’ safety in two CRTL designs. Four locations in Belgium were selected: two where the priority rule favoured cyclists and two where motorists had priority. The four locations were videotaped unobtrusively over one week. With regard to yielding, four types of crossing behaviour were identified and defined. The video data shows that, independent of the priority rule, cyclists crossed the conflict zone first in most interactions using a defensive crossing style. A model was developed, which indicates that when a cyclist, rather than a moped rider (allowed at cycling infrastructure in Belgium), arrives from the left at the cyclist crossing, it will be more likely that the cyclist crosses first. Road users who slow down have a lower probability of crossing first. A safety evaluation was performed using two traffic conflict indicators (TTCmin and the TA value). High correlations between the two indicators were found (r2 > 0.83), but no conclusions about the safest priority rule for cyclists could be drawn. The results hinted, however, that locations with motorist priority and crossings from right to left (from the driver’s point of view) yielded the highest number of safety critical events. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting