Safety and Accessibility Effects of Code Modifications and Traffic Calming of an Arterial Road

The European Road E12 through the community center of Storuman, Sweden was reconstructed in 1999 and 2000. Pedestrian walkways, traffic islands, chicanes of a type referred to as “Danish buns”, a roundabout and a two-directional cycle track along the E12 were installed. The purpose of the reconstruction was to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, primarily for children, the elderly and the disabled, and to reduce the barrier effect of the E12 thoroughfare. In May 2000, the code governing the conduct of drivers at marked crosswalks in Sweden became stricter to improve safety and mobility for pedestrians. The combined effect of reconstructions and change of code was analyzed. Traffic behavior was studied at the intersection where the roundabout was constructed. Yield behavior towards pedestrians changed significantly. The difference was even greater with respect to yielding to child bicyclists – from 6% before to 84% after – even though the code change only related to pedestrians. Crash data analysis suggests a minor increase in fall injuries after reconstructions and change of code. Measures of speed, behavioral studies, questionnaires, face-to-face interviews and crash data analysis suggest that safety has increased not only along the E12 but also along adjacent roads. The final conclusion is that a bypass is not needed in a case like Storuman. Traffic calming of the main arterial through the town seems sufficient.

• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V5S-4HSY50B-1/1/ca34d8fb604b4c412e71f0bd2b479215
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00014575
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Elsevier
• Authors:
  • Leden, Lars
  • Wikstrom, Per-Erik
  • Garder, Per Erik
  • Rosander, Peter
• Publication Date: 2006

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 455-461
• Serial:
  • Accident Analysis & Prevention
  • Volume: 38
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0001-4575
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00014575

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Aged; Arterial highways; Before and after studies; Behavior; Bicycle crashes; Case studies; Children; Crash data; Crosswalks; Highway safety; Interviewing; Pedestrian safety; Persons with disabilities; Questionnaires; Roundabouts; Traffic calming; Traffic islands; Traffic speed; Walkways; Yielding
• Uncontrolled Terms: Chicanes (Traffic calming); Traffic laws
• Geographic Terms: Sweden
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I81: Accident Statistics; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01023361
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 28 2006 8:10AM