Approaching autonomous driving with cautious optimism: analysis of road traffic injuries involving autonomous vehicles based on field test data

2020 ◽  
pp. injuryprev-2019-043402
Author(s):  
Wanbao Ye ◽  
Chuanlin Wang ◽  
Fuxiang Chen ◽  
Shuzhen Yan ◽  
Liping Li
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Autonomous Driving ◽  
Road Traffic Injuries ◽  
Road Traffic Safety ◽  
Road Users ◽  
Vulnerable Road Users ◽  
Poor Lighting

ObjectivesTo examine the patterns and associated factors of road traffic injuries (RTIs) involving autonomous vehicles (AVs) and to discuss the public health implications and challenges of autonomous driving.MethodsData were extracted from the reports of traffic crashes involving AVs. All the reports were submitted to the California Department of Motor Vehicles by manufacturers with permission to operate AV test on public roads. Descriptive analysis and χ2 analysis or Fisher’s exact test was conducted to describe the injury patterns and to examine the influencing factors of injury outcomes, respectively. Binary logistic regression using the Wald test was employed to calculate the OR, adjusted OR (AOR) and 95% CIs. A two-tailed probability (p<0.05) was adopted to indicate statistical significance.Results133 reports documented 24 individuals injured in 19 crashes involving AVs, with the overestimated incidence rate of 18.05 per 100 crashes. 70.83% of the injured were AV occupants, replacing vulnerable road users as the leading victims. Head and neck were the most commonly injured locations. Driving in poor lighting was at greater risk of RTIs (AOR 6.37, 95% CI 1.47 to 27.54). Collisions with vulnerable road users or incidents happening during commute periods led to a greater number of victims (p<0.05). Autonomous mode cannot perform better than conventional mode in road traffic safety to date (p=0.468).ConclusionsPoor lighting improvement and the regulation of commute-period traffic and vulnerable road users should be strengthened for AV-related road safety. So far AVs have not demonstrated the potential to dramatically reduce RTIs. Cautious optimism about AVs is more advisable, and multifaceted efforts, including legislation, smarter roads, and knowledge dissemination campaigns, are fairly required to accelerate the development and acceptance.

scholarly journals Improving Traffic Safety By Using Waze User Reports

2021 ◽  
Vol 1202 (1) ◽  
pp. 012031
Author(s):  
Raitis Steinbergs ◽  
Maris Kligis
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Road Safety ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Communication Channels ◽  
Road Maintenance ◽  
Fast Reaction ◽  
Road Traffic Safety ◽  
Road Users ◽  
Road Inspection ◽  
User Friendly

Abstract Road inspection regularity and existing types made by road maintenance crew have not been good enough to be aware what is really happening on the roads. Road users' contribution in road traffic safety is very important to ensure fast reaction on different road hazards. It is important to ensure not only the most common ways to report road hazards on state roads by phone, by email and on social media, but also expand data sources options in modern and user-friendly way. Waze navigation application already had functionality to report road hazards – to warn other application users, but no one acted to solve these road hazards until someone reported them through existing communication channels supported by Latvian State roads or Latvian road maintainer. To ensure better road traffic safety and faster reaction time on road hazards solving, Latvian road maintainer gained access to Waze report feed, and, in corporation with Riga Technical university, made a system for analysing and processing Waze data. As the result - Latvian roads maintainer can improve road safety by faster reaction to road hazards reported by Waze users. Today, up to 70 % from total reports processed by Latvian road maintainer are generated by Waze.

scholarly journals Bibliometric analysis of road traffic injuries research in the Gulf Cooperation Council region

F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 1155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhan Muhammad Butt ◽  
Murtaza Ashiq ◽  
Shafiq Ur Rehman ◽  
Khurram Shahid Minhas ◽  
Muhammad Ajmal Khan
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Bibliometric Analysis ◽  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gulf Cooperation Council ◽  
Road Traffic Crash ◽  
Productivity Level ◽  
Road Traffic Injuries ◽  
Road Traffic Safety

Background: Despite governmental interventions, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region continues to experience higher road traffic crash and fatality rates relative to Western nations. This trend suggests a potential disconnect between Road Traffic Injuries (RTI) research and the mitigation measures put in place. Method: Here, we present an in-depth bibliometric analysis to obtain a comprehensive understanding of RTI research in the GCC region. The Web of Science database was used to search and retrieve the relevant articles during the period of 1981-2019. Results: The volume of RTI research increased from 2015–2019, suggesting an increased focus on traffic safety in the GCC region. Saudi Arabia had the highest RTI research productivity level (126 publications); Bahrain had the lowest (7 publications). Inconsistent with its low publication volume, Hammad Medical Corps of Qatar had the highest citation impact score of 16.33. Global collaboration for RTI research was highest between Saudi Arabia and the United States. The most prevalent publication journal for the region was Accident Analysis and Prevention. The most common keywords were “road traffic accidents” and “road traffic injuries”; terms such as “mobile phones”, “pedestrian safety”, “pedestrians”, and “distracted driving” were least common. In the five most productive GCC nations with respect to RTI research (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman), researchers tended to publish works related to road traffic safety in traffic safety-oriented journals. Conclusions: The quantity and quality of RTI publications in GCC is insufficient to meet the increasing related public health and economic burden in the region. The trends among publication volumes, citations, and impact were inconsistent. There is a lack of research collaboration among the institutions. Most of the research related to RTI is being conducted by researchers with a medical background. Research focusing on pedestrians, cyclists and road user behavior is also inadequate.

scholarly journals Attitude of Motorists towards Road Ethics: Empirical Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-56
Author(s):  
Funsho Idowu Obakemi
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Logistic Model ◽  
Human Factor ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Traffic Enforcement ◽  
Road Crashes ◽  
Road Traffic Safety ◽  
Road Users ◽  
Traffic Law Enforcement

Abstract Road traffic safety among socioeconomic issues has become the major concern across the globe due to rise in road crashes attributed largely to human factor. This study tends to address attitudinal behavior of road users towards road ethics in Ilorin metropolis-Nigeria; covering both driver and motorcyclists and perception of motorists on road traffic enforcement agent. Questionnaire was employed as survey tools. Ordered logistic model were used to analyse the data on attitude of motorists and road traffic laws enforcement agents. About 87% of the 440 administered questionnaire were returned valid. A 3-model analysis was carried out and the findings showed that the attitude of the motorists, road traffic law enforcement agents and demographical index (gender, age and education) correlated with, and influence compliance with road traffic laws.

Strength of the semitrailer’s roof in the aspect of road traffic safety

2018 ◽  
Vol 121 ◽  
pp. 285-293
Author(s):  
Mirosław Nader ◽  
Krzysztof Kielczyk
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Road Vehicles ◽  
The Road ◽  
Road Traffic Safety ◽  
Road Users ◽  
Minimum Requirements ◽  
European Standards

Stable and slidable roofs of the semitrailers are usually characterized by low weight and easy handling, which equals directly into comfort of use, longevity of the system and the time needed to open or close. However, not always an operational advantages of roofs go hand in hand with their durability, especially in the snowfall situation or sudden changes of the road lane by a set of vehicles: a truck tractor – a semitrailer. The analysis of homologation regulations shows that today there are no precise requirements and physical testing / strength methods for assembled roofs of the semitrailers as components. The test methods for complete vehicle bodies (including the roof), which have destructive nature, are described in European standards, e.g. EN 12642:2017 "Securing of cargo on road vehicles – Body structure of commercial vehicles – Minimum requirements" [6], internal German regulations, e.g. VDI 2700:2004 "Securing of loads on road vehicles" [8] or Directive DCE 9.5:2008 ”Load security for transportation of load containers on utility vehicles in road traffic” [7]. A non-destructive, possible to perform, testing method for the roof as a component - is calculation method. The results of the performed tests allow to conduct development works over improving the vehicle’s system security (including the introduction of new semitrailers roofs design solutions and verification of existing ones). The carried out strength tests give possibilities to optimize and adapt the roofs to the transported loads, e.g. stable lifting roofs used in transport of divisible loads, or sliding roofs used in the transport of non-separate loads. The strength testing of the semitrailer’s roofs is highly justified from the point of view of securing the load and safety of passengers, drivers and other road users primarily. The requirements and limitations of the mentioned testing methods are not - in the authors opinion - 100% of realistic and possible deformation during the real vehicle’s road traffic. On the other hand, the cited documents exists as recognized regulators in the international arena of the road traffic legislation. The work’s aim is demonstrating the benefits of using reinforced roofs in all types of the semitrailer’s bodyworks.

scholarly journals Identification of Factors Affecting Road Traffic Injuries Incidence and Severity in Southern Thailand Based on Accident Investigation Reports

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 12467
Author(s):  
Nuntaporn Klinjun ◽  
Matthew Kelly ◽  
Chanita Praditsathaporn ◽  
Rewwadee Petsirasan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Seat Belt ◽  
Environmental Risks ◽  
Road Traffic Injuries ◽  
Traffic Lights ◽  
Road Traffic Safety ◽  
Traffic Injury ◽  
Haddon Matrix

Thailand has the second-highest rates of road traffic mortality globally. Detailed information on the combination of human, vehicle, and environmental risks giving rise to each incident is important for addressing risk factors holistically. This paper presents the result of forensic road traffic investigation reports in Thailand and determines risk factor patterns for road traffic injuries. Detailed forensic reports were extracted for 25 serious traffic accident events. The Haddon matrix was used to analyze risk factors in three phases stratified by four agents. The 25 events analyzed involved 407 victims and 47 vehicles. A total of 65.8% of victims were injured, including 14.5% who died. The majority (66.1%) of deaths occurred at the scene. Human-error-related factors included speeding and drowsiness. Passenger risks included not using the seat belt, sitting in the cargo area and the cab of pickups. Overloaded vehicles, unsafe car modifications, no occupant safety equipment and having unfixed seats were vehicular risks. Environmental risks included fixed objects on the roadside, no traffic lights, no guard rails, no traffic signs, and road accident black spots. At present, traffic accidents cause much avoidable severe injury and death. The outcome of this paper identifies a number of preventable risk factors for traffic injury, and importantly examines them in conjunction. Road traffic safety measures need to consider how human, vehicle, and environmental risks intersect to influence injury likelihood and severity. The Haddon matrix is useful in identifying these pre- and post-accident risk factors. Furthermore, the sustainable preventions of road traffic injury need to address these risks together with active law enforcement.

scholarly journals Traffic Calming Measures: An Evaluation of the Effect on Driving Speed

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrius Vaitkus ◽  
Donatas Čygas ◽  
Vilma Jasiūnienė ◽  
Laura Jateikienė ◽  
Tadas Andriejauskas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Road Accidents ◽  
The Road ◽  
Road Traffic Safety ◽  
Traffic Calming ◽  
Road Users ◽  
Accident Probability ◽  
Driving Speed

Road accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the world, particularly among young people. Excessive speed is one of the main risk factors in road traffic safety, increasing accident probability and affecting accident severity. Experimental research of the traffic calming measures allocation effect on the driving speed is presented in this paper. The research has been carried out on two aspects. The first one with respect to the mean speed and the second one regarding instantaneous speed. However, the paper is not only restricted by the above research. Standardized survey interview and questioning, a survey of public opinion, was carried out to find out the road users’ opinions about the need for traffic calming measures and speed control measures. Finally, the authors presented their insights and recommendations for the installation of speed humps and gateways and their optimum spacing.

scholarly journals Analysis of traffic accidents of young drivers in urban areas and measures to increase safety

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-28
Author(s):  
Predrag Brlek ◽  
Ljudevit Krpan ◽  
Ivan Cvitković ◽  
Krunoslav Lukačić
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Road Accidents ◽  
Road Traffic Safety ◽  
Young Drivers ◽  
Road Users ◽  
The Republic

Traffic accidents are considered the first cause of death of young people, that is, young drivers. Therefore, this problem needs to be given a lot of attention. Traffic accident which include young drivers must be analyzed as an element of the system, and it is necessary to analyze and investigate potential solutions and improve all elements in order to improve the system itself. In the Republic of Croatia, for the first time in 2004, the term "YOUNG DRIVER" as a driver of a motor vehicle up to the age of 24, who holds a drivers license issued in the Republic of Croatia, was introduced into the Road Traffic Safety Act. The share of young drivers in the population in the Republic of Croatia is 4.3%. Young drivers make up about eight percent of road users, causing a total of 9.6% of traffic accidents, or 12.5% of those with fatalities. This paper will deal with traffic safety in other countries, especially in the surrounding countries. According to statistics related to road accidents, young drivers are over-represented and are at greater risk to themselves, passengers and other participants than other drivers. There is a need to respond in a timely manner and to adopt optimal measures to improve the safety of young drivers in road traffic and thus for the safety of other road users. The aim of this paper is to outline measures that would reduce the number of road accidents involving young drivers, especially in urban areas.

scholarly journals Communicative Provocation Coming from Aggressive Bloggers and Improvement of Professional Performance of Traffic Patrol Officers of the State Inspectorate for Road Traffic Safety

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 51-63
Author(s):  
S.E. Borisova ◽  
F.N. Zeynalov
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
The State ◽  
Patrol Officers ◽  
Professional Performance ◽  
Road Traffic Safety ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Road Users ◽  
Conflict Situations ◽  
Legal Perspective

This study clarifies the essence of communicative provocation with elements of verbal aggression manifesting in the way internet bloggers behave if conflict situations arise between them and traffic patrol officers of the State Inspectorate for Road Traffic Safety. The specifics of communicative provocation is analyzed from the psychological and legal perspective and on the basis of video recordings of direct communication between road users and traffic patrol officers. We describe the tactics of bloggers' conflict verbal behavior and also the psychological makeup of traffic patrol officers as the target of communicative provocation. Suggestions of psychological and legal significance are formulated with the view of: 1) relaxing the conflict potential of the situations under consideration; 2) strengthening the skills of traffic patrol officers of the State Inspectorate for Road Traffic Safety; 3) improvement of their professional performance.

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