PERCEPTION OF ROAD RULES AND PRIORITIES AT THE INTRODUCTION OF A PRIORITY ROAD PROGRAMME

A questionnaire survey of the understanding of road rules and priorities by a representative sample of the driving population of metropolitan Melbourne was conducted during the introductory phase of an area wide shift to a major/ minor road system. The survey is part of a before and after study of the effects on driver behaviour of a rapid transition from a tradition of driver-determined priorities, such as the offside priority rule, to a more systematic application of externally applied priorities, as represented by stop and give-way signs and markings. The questionnaire presented a paper and pencil simulation of a series of intersection conflicts and high risk manoeuvres that might be faced by a driver engaged in an extended trip on a main road. At each decision point the respondent was asked to select from prepared response alternatives the one that in his judgement best fitted the requirements of the situation. The results obtained from a sample of 1001 licensed drivers showed that there was already a partial appreciation of the changes in methods of determining priorities in intersection conflicts and an increased inclination to accept overtaking opportunities on protected road segments. In addition, there were a few occasions on which confusions in the application of driver-determined priorities were not reduced by the changes in the traffic management system. /TRRL/

• Corporate Authors:

  Taylor & Francis

  4 Park Square, Milton Park
  Abingdon,   United Kingdom  OX14 4RN
• Authors:
  • McKelvey, R K
  • Mare, W K
  • Wisdom, P H
• Publication Date: 1976-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 325 p.
• Serial:
  • Ergonomics Abstracts
  • Volume: 8
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Bus priority; Comprehension; Drivers; Ergonomics; Highway traffic control; Intersections; Questionnaires; Road markings; Strategic planning; Traffic regulations; Traffic signal preemption; Traffic signs; Travelers; Urban areas
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• Old TRIS Terms: Traffic marking
• ITRD Terms: 8006: Australia; 9001: Behaviour; 2209: Comprehension; 8525: Conference; 1772: Driver; 2029: Ergonomics; 9147: Interview; 455: Junction; 2229: Perception; 648: Priority (traffic); 1755: Road user; 1544: Traffic regulations; 313: Urban area
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00156467
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: Analytic
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 13 1977 12:00AM