Streetcar Safety from Tram Driver Perspective
Melbourne, Australia has the largest tram network in the world including the largest mixed traffic tram/streetcar network. In mixed traffic tram operating environment, trams share roads with other road traffic including the tram lanes. Therefore, Melbourne tram drivers have the challenge of controlling one of the heaviest vehicles in a complex road environment where they have to maneuver trams on lanes shared with other road traffic, on separated tram lanes as well as on their own light rail corridors. In addition to different tram lane configurations, tram drivers have to follow different traffic signal settings at intersections as well as have to serve passengers at various types of closely spaced tram stops. Like other public transport drivers, tram drivers have the constant pressure for on-time running and need to ensure passenger safety. Despite all these challenges, very little research has been conducted on evaluating tram driving tasks and even less on evaluating detailed risk factors on tram routes from the tram drivers’ viewpoint. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify key tram driving challenges as well as to understand the key road user and road design factors influencing tram road safety from the tram drivers’ perspectives. Five focus groups were conducted involving thirty tram drivers in Melbourne. Key themes emerged inductively from focus groups were identified through audio-recorded data coding process. Findings of this research will enhance understanding of tram driving challenges as well as evaluating detailed crash risk factors on tram roads and thus could offer effective strategies for transit agencies to improve road safety.
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Supplemental Notes:
- This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AP000 Public Transportation Group. Alternate title: Streetcar Safety from Tram Driver's Perspective
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Corporate Authors:
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001 -
Authors:
- Naznin, Farhana
- Currie, Graham
- Logan, David
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Conference:
- Transportation Research Board 96th Annual Meeting
- Location: Washington DC, United States
- Date: 2017-1-8 to 2017-1-12
- Date: 2017
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 15p
- Monograph Title: TRB 96th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Conductors (Trains); Crash risk forecasting; Highway safety; Streetcars; Trolley cars; Vehicle mix
- Geographic Terms: Melbourne (Australia)
- Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01630355
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: 17-05635
- Files: PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI
- Created Date: Mar 27 2017 9:35AM