Abstract
Developing and using proper road safety evaluation tools is essential to
further enhance road safety work. These are also requested e.g. by a
directive from the Member States of the European Union. However, science-based
safety evaluation tools are not widely available or used. Comparing different
ways of predicting future accidents revealed that accident model estimates
combined with accident record gives essentially better predictions than those
based on accident history alone. In fact, estimation based on accident record
only seems to give in many cases predictions that are not worth more than a
guess. Hence, TARVA, one example of tools will be demonstrated. The aim of it
is to provide reliable current safety estimates as well as predictions of
safety effects of improvements for roads and level crossings. Separate
versions have been created for Lithuanian and Finnish roads and Finnish level
crossings. Principles and use of the tool will be explained, including Finnish
and Lithuanian examples. Using the tool one can rank the safety of existing
road network or level crossings. Ranking is done using the expected accident
numbers received by combining accident history data with accident prediction
model data. In addition to comparing the safety of individual roads, examples
will be presented on comparing road safety among areas. In addition to
selecting roads to be improved, the tool can be used for estimating safety
effects of improvements. Crash modification factors (CMF) of about 100 safety
measures have been defined based on internationally recognised safety research
results. Using the expected accident figures, CMF’s and the implementations
costs of measures, one can estimate the cost-effectiveness of alternative ways
of improving safety.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 2013 |
MoE publication type | Not Eligible |
Event | 17th IRF World Meeting & Exhibition - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Duration: 9 Nov 2013 → 13 Nov 2013 |
Conference
Conference | 17th IRF World Meeting & Exhibition |
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Country/Territory | Saudi Arabia |
City | Riyadh |
Period | 9/11/13 → 13/11/13 |