scholarly journals Analysis of Children’s Traffic Behaviour at Signalized Crosswalks as a Precondition for Safe Children Routes Design: A Case Study from Croatia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Irena Ištoka Otković ◽  
Aleksandra Deluka-Tibljaš ◽  
Sanja Šurdonja

Children pedestrians represent road users with some specifics because of which it is important to study and take into account their traffic behaviour when traffic infrastructure is designed. Design should ensure and enhance their traffic safety because for decades, traffic accidents have been among the first few causes of children and adolescent mortality. Pedestrian speed is one of the important inputs when pedestrian infrastructure, especially crosswalks, is designed. On corridors where children are expected on a daily basis as independent pedestrians, the infrastructure should be adjusted to their characteristics and needs. The results of a study conducted in two Croatian cities of a similar size but of different urban and traffic conditions are presented in this paper. This study aimed at establishing and analysing children’s pedestrian speed while crossing the signalized crosswalk in the buffer area of elementary schools, mostly on primary roads in the school vicinity. Children aged 5–15 were observed, and accordingly V15, V50, and V85 speeds were established on the basis of altogether 600 measurements. Speed was established for children walking individually, in a group and supervised by adults, and of a different age, and based on their gender, the impact of infrastructural elements on their speed in traffic was also analysed. Significant differences were found between children’s speed measured in similar conditions in analysed cities and between some of the analysed groups. This fact proves that when improving conditions for children’s independent movement, it is important to consider their specifics in order to ensure safe design adjusted to children’s needs and limitations. As design speed in this paper, 15 percentile speed (V15) is considered. Suggestions on how to establish children pedestrian speed for design of routes regularly used by school children are proposed as well as some inputs elicited from the study done in Croatia are presented.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 127-132
Author(s):  
V.V. Shapovalov (Jr.) ◽  
V.A. Shapovalova ◽  
V.V. Shapovalov

Background. Around the world, drug-related road traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of injury and death among road users. Traffic safety is a system that includes the following components: a person – a person's health condition – the use of dangerous drugs of different classification and legal groups – adverse drug reactions – a vehicle – a road. The share of road traffic accidents under the influence of drugs is more than 75 %, they are also the most socially dangerous, because they have grave consequences, cause irreparable harm to the health and death of the victims. The purpose of the study was to analyze the achievements of forensic and pharmaceutical researches in Ukraine on the impact of drugs on the safety, life and health of road users within the framework of the organization of pharmaceutical business, drug technology, pharmaceutical and medical law in a retrospective aspect. Materials and methods. The materials of the imperative research were legislative, regulatory and legal documents; materials of the formation of the scientific school of forensic pharmacy; scientific publications on the topic of the article; Internet resources, sources of scientific literature. To achieve the set goals, the methods of forensic and pharmaceutical, regulatory, documentary, bibliographic, comparative, historical and graphic analysis were used. Results. The experience of the countries of the world in the prophylaxis and prevention of road traffic accidents under the influence of drugs was analyzed. The causes and conditions for the occurrence and consequences of road traffic accidents are multifactorial in nature and are associated with the victims (driver - pedestrian), vehicle, road conditions, and the use of psychoactive drugs. A system of organizational, regulatory and preventive measures has been developed to provide first medical aid to victims of a road traffic accident. Shown that there is a need for scientifically grounded organizational and legal, clinical and pharmacological, forensic pharmaceutical and socio-economic studies on causal relationships between adverse reactions due to the use of drugs of various classification and legal groups, traffic safety and road traffic accidents. For the first time in Ukraine, a mathematical model was proposed to establish the effect of psychoactive drugs on the driver's condition when driving a vehicle, depending on the calculation of the stopping path of the car in accordance with the selected speed and a decrease in the driver's response. The structure of road traffic accidents under the influence of psychoactive drugs has been investigated. Conclusions. A classification of first-aid kits for providing first medical aid to victims of road traffic accidents was proposed, which made it possible to substantiate the need to improve them both in qualitative and quantitative composition, depending on the type of vehicle and the likelihood of an accident with serious consequences. Recommendations were proposed for providing information on the possibility of obtaining medical care and the signal-calling system on the roads, marking the packages of psychoactive drugs with a special mark in the form of a red triangle. The need for further forensic pharmaceutical research has been proven.


Author(s):  
Liydmila Nagrebelna

The main factors affecting road safety are outlined. The main methods of road accident analysis are presented, which will allow accurate determination of areas of high danger. By distributing road traffic accidents along the length of the road, it is possible to identify such areas and areas where road conditions have a dominant influence on the emergence of accidents, which is important in planning measures to improve traffic safety. It is proved that the effectiveness of the result depends on the precisely defined areas where first of all it is necessary to implement measures to improve road safety. It is completely impossible to predict the occurrence of traffic accidents because many different factors influence them. These factors relate both to traffic conditions on the motorway and to the impact of the traffic flow itself, a separate vehicle, a human factor, weather conditions etc. Therefore, there is a need for a comprehensive approach in solving a complex problem is increasing road safety. The purpose of this article is to: reduce the number of accidents and their victims on the highways of Ukraine by means of the priority implementation of measures to improve road conditions and improve the organization of traffic on highway sections of high danger identified by the results of linear analysis of accidents. Linear accident analysis provides an opportunity not only to effectively and reasonably plan events, but also to evaluate the outcome of their implementation. Reducing the number of traffic accidents and their victims in highway sections of high danger identified by the results of linear accident analysis is the best method for creating safe traffic conditions. Purposeful financing of measures aimed primarily at eliminating the most dangerous in terms of accident rate of road sections and the main risk factors of an accident will allow to reduce the number of accidents and the severity of their consequences. Keywords: road safety, linear analysis, methods of analysis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Lin ◽  
Feng Shi ◽  
Weizi Li

AbstractCOVID-19 has affected every sector of our society, among which human mobility is taking a dramatic change due to quarantine and social distancing. We investigate the impact of the pandemic and subsequent mobility changes on road traffic safety. Using traffic accident data from the city of Los Angeles and New York City, we find that the impact is not merely a blunt reduction in traffic and accidents; rather, (1) the proportion of accidents unexpectedly increases for “Hispanic” and “Male” groups; (2) the “hot spots” of accidents have shifted in both time and space and are likely moved from higher-income areas (e.g., Hollywood and Lower Manhattan) to lower-income areas (e.g., southern LA and southern Brooklyn); (3) the severity level of accidents decreases with the number of accidents regardless of transportation modes. Understanding those variations of traffic accidents not only sheds a light on the heterogeneous impact of COVID-19 across demographic and geographic factors, but also helps policymakers and planners design more effective safety policies and interventions during critical conditions such as the pandemic.


Author(s):  
Oriol Ríos-González ◽  
Mimar Ramis-Salas ◽  
Juan Carlos Peña-Axt ◽  
Sandra Racionero-Plaza

Background: Men who develop behaviors connected with the model of hegemonic masculinity present several health problems. Previous research has shown the types of problems that men commonly suffer in this regard such as chronic diseases, dietary disorders, and traffic accidents. To combat and overcome this situation, several campaigns, policies and recommendations have been undertaken, and consequently, their influence has been analyzed. However, there have been few investigations into the role of men’s friendship in the reduction of these physical health problems. The findings presented in this article are focused on this issue, illustrating the impact of male friendship on the shaping of healthy behaviors. Methods: Drawing upon a qualitative-based methodology articulated in a case study of the Men in Dialogue association, located in Spain, the study has followed the premises of the communicative approach, a total of 15 structured online open-ended questionnaires have been performed and analyzed. The median age of the participants is 37.5 years. Results: The findings show how men involved in Men in Dialogue are promoting a kind of masculine friendship that is improving men’s emotional well-being and, consequently, their physical health.


2021 ◽  
pp. 43-48
Author(s):  

Improving the system of preventive measures aimed at reducing the severity of the consequences of road accidents is an urgent task. Road deaths are constantly increasing and there is a need for a comprehensive approach to creating safe road conditions. The purpose of this study is to analyze the promising designs of road barriers designed to prevent uncontrolled exit of vehicles from the roadway of the highway and to develop the design of energy-absorbing fencing. Barrier barriers must not only be safe for road users, but must also ensure their safety, as well as preserve the elements after hitting the fence. Analytical studies have shown that in order to reduce mechanical damage to vehicles and reduce the severity of injuries to the driver and passengers, it is necessary to develop a road fence design that allows you to extinguish the impact energy at the moment of contact between the car and the fence. Keywords: fencing, barrier, safety, traffic accident


Author(s):  
Jieling Xiao ◽  
Andrew Hilton

Square dancing is a popular music-related group physical exercise for health benefits in China mainly participated by mid-aged women and elderly people. This paper investigates the soundscape and enjoyment of the square dancing in urban streets through a case study in Lichuan, a county level city in southwest China, in December 2017. It examines the impact of gender, age, participation and places on perceptions of square dancing soundscape. Two sites along two main urban streets in the city were selected to conduct onsite investigations where residents spontaneously perform square dancing on a daily basis. Ethnographical observations were conducted to identify the social-physical features and sounds of both sites during the dance and without dance. Sound pressure measurements (LAeq and LAmax) were also conducted under the two conditions. An off-site survey was distributed through the local social media groups to understand residents’ everyday experiences and perceptions of square dancing in the city; 106 responses were received for the off-site survey. T-tests and Chi-squared tests were used for statistical analysis of the survey data. The results show gender does appear to be a factor influencing the regularity of participation in square dancing, with a bias towards more female participants. Participation frequency of square dance has an impact on the enjoyment of square dancing. There is no correlation between the dislike of watching square dancing, or dislike of the music and a desire to restrict locations for square dancing.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 60-66
Author(s):  
Nemunas Abukauskas ◽  
Egidijus Skrodenis

The results of lengthy thorough investigations into traffic safety situation show that the percentage of pedestrians getting involved in road traffic accidents on Lithuanian roads is significantly higher (more than 33 % of the total number of injury and fatal accidents) than that compared to the other European Union member-states. The article studies traffic safety problems and their factors causing the largest influence on the occurrence of these accidents. Considering valuable experience gained by foreign countries, investigation was carried out to establish general and main factors causing insufficient road safety conditions and significance of these factors to road safety. The article also shows the main activity improving road safety in Lithuania and discusses the effectiveness of strategic and local (temporary and long term) measures to improve conditions for pedestrian road safety.


Auspicia ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 38-56
Author(s):  
Pavel Kohút ◽  
Ludmila Macurová ◽  
Miroslav Felcan

ABSTRACT: The paper deals with the analysis of traffic accidents involving pedestrians in the Slovak Republic. The development of traffic accidents involving pedestrians is processed through statistical data for the period 2011 - 2019. The paper defines the risk groups of road users, identified areas with the highest traffic accidents, evaluated the negative consequences of traffic accidents and identified their possible causes. A separate chapter is a case study consisting of an analysis of a vehicle - pedestrian accident. Based on the performed analysis of traffic accidents involving pedestrians, safety measures are set to minimize the number of traffic accidents involving pedestrians and their negative consequences. The study is one of the outputs of the APVV-17-0217 project "Staffing of police officers and application of the principle of proportionality in criminal and administrative law.


Transport ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 216-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Zanne ◽  
Aleš Groznik

Road traffic accident is an accident on a public road in which at least one moving vehicle has been involved and material damage or injury or death has occurred. Traffic accidents occur for various reasons, with one of them being the transport infrastructure and next the condition of traffic environment. Motorways are considered to be the safest roads, which have initially been planned as dedicated roads intended to be travelled only by personal cars, but the evolution of modal split of freight transport in Europe is causing the heterogeneity of traffic flows on these roads, which consequently affects the traffic safety. The aim of this paper is to explore the effects of changing volume and structure of traffic flows on road safety on Slovenian motorways. After the exhaustive analysis of past data, the paper provides different models for forecasting traffic safety on Slovenian motorways.


Author(s):  
Yuxin Cao ◽  
Chye Kiang Heng ◽  
John Chye Fung

Older adults’ out-of-home behaviors (OOHBs) are critical for maintaining health and quality of life. Taking Singapore’s Yuhua East as a case, this study applied a qualitative approach to explore what neighborhood environmental factors influence older adults’ OOHBs. Twelve older adults were recruited for walk-along interviews through the use of purposeful convenience sampling. A content analysis was conducted using NVivo 11 via an inductive approach. Research results revealed 12 categories of environmental factors that affected older adults’ OOHBs: access to facilities (shops and services, public transit, and connectivity), pedestrian infrastructure (sidewalk quality, sheltered walkways, universal design, crossings, benches, and public toilets), aesthetics (natural elements, buildings, noise, and cleanliness), traffic safety (behavior of other road users and road width), safety from crime, wayfinding, familiarity (long-term residency and routine activities), weather, social contact, high-rise, high-density (lifts, population density, flat size, and privacy), affordability (shops and services, as well as transportation), and maintenance and upgrading. This analysis concluded that access to facilities and pedestrian infrastructure are important for older adults’ OOHBs. Considering Singapore’s weather, sheltered walkways, the proximity of facilities and connectivity should be given serious emphasis. In addition to physical factors, social contacts and the affordability of shops and services are also important.


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