An analysis of traffic conflicts as a tool for sustainable road transport

Abstract

This paper presents an approach to partially solving an issue within the scope of sustainable road transport, specifically the issue of potential accidents, i.e., traffic conflicts. First, a method is introduced for the analysis of traffic conflicts using video equipment. The attention is focused on traffic conflicts that occur at turbo-roundabouts. Given the diversity of causes of traffic conflicts, the emphasis is placed on the correct identification of the cause, i.e., whether the conflict is caused only by the negligence of the road user, or whether the conflict is more or less influenced by an inappropriately designed turbo-roundabout or one or more of its specific building elements (e.g., unsuitable corner radius). The next part of the article presents a selection of results that were obtained from analyses performed at about 100 turbo-roundabouts in nine European countries. Illustrative diagrams show the courses of the emergence of traffic conflicts, the causes of which are then described in detail. The conclusions from these analyses confirm the main hypothesis that the evaluation of traffic conflicts should be an essential part of designing roads, in order to increase traffic safety and, importantly, contribute to sustainable transport.