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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

Main roads as village thoroughfare. Road safety on main roads in non-built-up areas

Valtatie kylanraittina. Liikenneturvallisuus haja-asutusalueiden maanteilla

The study concerned the mobility modes and habits of residents of non-built-up areas as well as their views on road safety and its significance. In addition, the study assessed the development of transport modelling tools for non-built-up areas. The stretch of main road 4 from Haaransilta to Temmes in the Oulu region, where conflicts arise between long-distance and local traffic, was selected as the target site. The mobility of residents was surveyed through a questionnaire and journal during one dark but snow free week of November. The response rate was low. The most responses were obtained from the mostly agrarian southern part of the area, the fewest from the more recently settled northern part. Travel in the south is distributed more evenly throughout the day while commuting is more common in the north. The most common mode of transport is the passenger car. Public transport only plays a minor role. Obvious peak hours could be distinguished in the newly settled area of the village school. Most of the traffic peaks on the main road as well specifically involved local traffic. The respondents considered main road 4 too narrow relative to traffic volume. Left turns in particular were considered dangerous. The noise and vibration from heavy goods vehicle traffic and farm vehicles was brought up in the survey. Individual dangerous situations mentioned included overtaking, walking to bus stops on the side of the road, and darkness. Transport models failed to provide much information about mobility in the target area. Traffic in the area includes a large number of slowly moving vehicles and vehicles decelerating for turns, which increase the variation in speeds and contribute to problem situations. The model was unable to uncover these, however. The group interviews with schoolchildren used to study road safety among children and young people proved a successful research method. Perceived risks included crossing the main road on the way to and from school and car traffic in the school area. The schoolchildren considered the main road intersections to be dangerous. According to the teachers, noise also interferes with teaching. The construction of a pedestrian and bicycle lane and an underpass had improved safety. The schoolchildren had a very positive attitude to moped riding, and even children in the lower years had personal experi-ence of motor vehicles. Farmers needed to cross the main road often due to the location of their lands. Issues causing problems included joining the flow of traffic on the main road, the great differences in vehicle speeds and the driving behaviour of others. Road safety should primarily be improved by impact-ing on driving behaviour and by widening the road. Land arrangements to reduce travel demand were supported in principle but were considered unsuitable for one personally. This report may be found at http://www.lintu.info/HAJATURVA.pdf

Language

  • Finnish

Media Info

  • Pagination: 70p
  • Serial:
    • LINTU REPORTS
    • Issue Number: 6/2007
    • Publisher: MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01104622
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: TRL
  • ISBN: 978-952-201-756-7
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Jul 17 2008 12:51PM