Road safety: implications for sustainable development in Latin America

Road accidents cause more deaths than homicides in Latin America, nevertheless it is not highlighted as a major concern by media and society. World Health Organization put this issue in high priority by releasing the Decade of Action in Road Safety that establishes five pillars to guide national road safety plans and activities. This paper addresses the drawbacks in the implementation of these actions in Latin American countries and its implications to achieve a sustainable development. The main concerns are: lack of empowerment of the road safety management organisations; lower vehicular standards; corruption related to the enforcement of traffic safety laws to and to the construction of safer roads; absence of safety vehicular inspections; vehicle fleet increase, decrease of public transportation demand; and the absence of a safety culture. Without facing these problems, sustainable development in Latin America will be impaired, once road safety is a fundamental link to achieve sustainability.

Do Public Private Partnerships Improve Road Safety? The Case of Toll Concessions in Spain

El Transportation Research Board es un congreso de reconocido prestigio internacional en el ámbito de la investigación del transporte. Aunque las actas publicadas están en formato digital y sin ISSN ni ISBN, lo consideramos lo suficientemente importante como para que se considere en los indicadores. This paper focuses on the implementation of safety based incentives in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). The aim of this paper is twofold. First, to evaluate whether PPPs lead to an improvement in road safety, when compared with other infrastructure management systems. Second, is to analyze whether the incentives to improve road safety in PPP contracts in Spain have been effective at improving safety performance. To this end, negative binomial regression models have been applied using information from the Spanish high-capacity network covering years 2007-2009. The results showed that even though road safety is highly influenced by variables that are not manageable by the private concessionaire such as the average annual daily traffic, the implementation of safety incentives in PPPs has a positive influence in the reduction of accidents.

Exploration de la perception d’adolescents et d’experts sur les campagnes de sensibilisation et les programmes de prévention en sécurité routière pour adolescents

Cette étude qualitative descriptive de type exploratoire avait pour but l’exploration de la perception des adolescents et des experts en sécurité routière sur les campagnes de sensibilisation actuelles et les programmes de prévention en sécurité routière s’adressant aux adolescents, afin de proposer de nouvelles pistes d’action en prévention des accidents de la route. Le modèle de planification Precede/Proceed de Green et Kreuter (2005) a été utilisé comme cadre de référence. Un groupe de discussion a été réalisé auprès de huit adolescents et des entrevues semi-dirigées ont été réalisées auprès de trois experts en sécurité routière. Les résultats montrent que peu de similitudes existent entre les propos des adolescents et ceux des experts en sécurité routière. Par contre, les similitudes portent sur des aspects importants en sécurité routière comme la prise du risque à l’adolescence, l’implication des parents et l’implication du milieu scolaire. Les résultats de cette étude fourniront aux décideurs de programmes de prévention ou aux personnes agissant de près ou de loin auprès de cette clientèle des pistes de recherches et d’actions pour de futures interventions prometteuses en prévention des accidents de la route chez les adolescents afin de réduire le nombre d’accidents chez les jeunes conducteurs.

International tourists and road safety in Australia: developing a national research and management programme

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury death for international tourists. This makes road safety an important issue for tourism authorities. Unfortunately, as it is in other areas of tourist health, the common response from the travel and tourism industry is to remain silent about this problem and to leave any mishaps in the hands of insurers. At the same time, but for different reasons, international tourists are not usually targeted for road safety initiatives by transport authorities. Given that there are considerable 'hidden' costs associated with international tourists and motor vehicle crashes, the topic should be of concern to both tourism and transport groups. This paper examines issues concerned with driving in unfamiliar surroundings for international visitors in Australia, and proposes a national research and management programme to guide policy and planning in the area. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Road Safety Audit for the Intersection of US 59 and IA 9 in Osceola County, Iowa Final Report, March 2012

The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) requested a road safety audit (RSA) of the US 59/IA 9 intersection in northwestern Iowa, just south of the Minnesota border, to assess intersection environmental issues and crash history and recommend appropriate mitigation to address the identified safety issues at the intersection. Although the number of crashes at the location has not been significantly higher than the statewide average for similar intersections, the severity of these crashes has been of concern. This RSA was unique in that it included intersection video observation and recorded traffic conflict data analysis, along with the daylight and nighttime field reviews. This report outlines the findings and recommendations of the RSA team for addressing the safety concerns at this intersection.

Road Safety Audit for IA 28 from the South Corporate Limits of Norwalk in Warren County through the IA 5 Interchange in Polk County, Iowa, November 2012

In response to local concerns, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) requested a road safety audit (RSA) for the IA Highway 28 corridor through the City of Norwalk in Warren County, Iowa, from the south corporate limits of Norwalk through the IA 5 interchange in Polk County, Iowa. The audit included meeting with City staff to discuss concerns, review crash history and operational issues, observe the route under daylight and nighttime conditions, and analyze available data. This report outlines the findings and recommendations of the audit team for addressing the safety concerns and operational matters along this corridor.

Road Safety Audit for US 52 in Dubuque County from IA 136 to the NCL of Dubuque, 2008

A section of US 52 between Dubuque and Luxemburg, Iowa, was listed in the top 5% of Iowa highways for severe crashes involving impaired drivers and single vehicle run-off-road crashes during 2001–2005, and several crashes have occurred on this roadway near the towns of Luxemburg, Holy Cross, and Rickardsville, Iowa, many on curves. Staff and officials from the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), Iowa State Patrol, Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, Federal Highway Administration, Center for Transportation Research and Education Dubuque County, and a retired fire chief met to review crash data and discuss potential safety improvements to U.S. Highway 52. This report outlines the findings and recommendations of the road safety audit team to address the safety concerns on this US 52 corridor and explains several mitigation strategies that the Iowa DOT District 6 Office has selected.

Road Safety Audit for US 6 from the ECL of Iowa City to the WCL of West Liberty in Johnson and Muscatine Counties, Iowa, 2008

Approximately 13.2 miles of US 6 in eastern Iowa extends from the east corporate limits of Iowa City, Iowa, to the west corporate limits of West Liberty, Iowa. This segment of US 6 is a service level B primary highway, with an annual daily traffic volume varying from 3,480 vehicles per day (vpd) to 5,700 vpd. According to 2001–2007 crash density data from the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), the corridor is currently listed among the top 5% of non-freeway Iowa DOT roads in several crash categories, including crashes involving excessive speed, impaired drivers, single-vehicle run-off-road, and multiple-vehicle crossed centerline. A road safety audit of this corridor was deemed appropriate by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Office of Traffic and Safety. Staff and officials from the Iowa DOT, Iowa State Patrol, Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, Federal Highway Administration, Center for Transportation Research and Education, and several local law enforcement and transportation agencies met to review crash data and discuss potential safety improvements to this segment of US 6. This report outlines the findings and recommendations of the road safety audit team to address the safety concerns on this US 6 corridor and explains several selected mitigation strategies.

Road Safety Audit for the US 61/Harrison Street and West Locust Street Intersection in Davenport-Scott County, Iowa, 2008

On the October 7 and 8, 2008, a road safety audit was conducted for the intersection of US 61/Harrison Street and West Locust Street in Davenport, Iowa. US 61/Harrison Street is a one-way street and a principal arterial route through Davenport, with three southbound lanes. Locust Street is a four-lane, two-way minor arterial running across the city from west to east. The last major improvement at this intersection was implemented approximately 20 years ago. The Iowa Department of Transportation requested a safety audit of this intersection in response to a high incidence of crashes at the location over the past several years, in view of the fact that no major improvements are anticipated for this intersection in the immediate future. The road safety audit team discussed current conditions at the intersection and reviewed the last seven years of crash data. The team also made daytime and nighttime field visits to the intersection to examine field conditions and observe traffic flow and crossing guard operations with younger pedestrians. After discussing key issues, the road safety audit team drew conclusions and suggested possible enforcement, engineering, public information, and educational strategies for mitigation.

Road Safety Audit for County Road X-37, from the Intersection of G-62 to the East Corporate Limits of Columbus City in Louisa County, Iowa, 2009

A road safety audit was conducted for a 7.75 mile section of County Road X-37 in Louisa County, Iowa. In 2006, the average annual daily traffic on this roadway was found to be 680 vehicles per day. Using crash data from 2001 to 2007, the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) has identified this roadway as being in the highest 5% of local rural roads in Iowa for single-vehicle runoff- road crashes. Considering these safety data, the Louisa County Engineer requested that a road safety audit be conducted to identify areas of safety concerns and recommend low-cost mitigation to address those concerns. Staff and officials from the Iowa DOT, Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, Federal Highway Administration, Institute for Transportation, and local law enforcement and transportation agencies met to review crash data and discuss potential safety improvements to this segment of X-37. This report outlines the findings and recommendations of the road safety audit team to address the safety concerns on this X-37 corridor and explain several selected mitigation strategies.

Road Safety Audit for County Road W-55 in Washington County, Iowa, 2009

A road safety audit was conducted for a seven-mile section of County Road W-55 in Washington County, Iowa. In 2006, the average annual daily traffic on this roadway was found to be 1,290 vehicles per day. Using crash data from 2001 to 2007, the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) has identified this roadway as being in the top 5% of Iowa secondary rural roads with the highest density of serious (fatal and major injury) crashes for single-vehicle run-off-road incidents. Considering these safety data, the Washington County Engineer requested that a road safety audit be conducted to identify areas with safety concerns and to recommend low-cost mitigation to address those concerns. Staff and officials from the Iowa DOT, Iowa State Patrol, Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, Federal Highway Administration, Institute for Transportation, and local law enforcement and transportation agencies met to review crash data and discuss potential safety improvements to this segment of W-55. This report outlines the findings and recommendations of the road safety audit team to address the safety concerns on this W-55 corridor and explain several selected mitigation strategies.

Road Safety Audit for Intersection of US 218 and County Road C-57 (West Cedar Wapsi Road) in Black Hawk County, Iowa, 2009

Beginning on June 22, 2009, a road safety audit was initiated for the intersection of US 218 and County Road C-57 in Black Hawk County, Iowa. Due to the traffic volumes and the number of conflicting traffic movements on these two roadways, this intersection has developed a crash history that concerns the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), Iowa State Patrol, and local agencies. This intersection is ranked seventh in Iowa for the highest number of at-grade expressway intersection crashes. Considering this, Black Hawk County and the Iowa DOT requested that a road safety audit be conducted to address the safety concerns and recommend possible mitigation strategies.

Road Safety Audit for Intersection of IA 1 and County Road R-67 in Johnson County, Iowa, 2009

On August 3, 2009, a road safety audit was initiated for the intersection of IA 1 and County Road F-67 in Johnson County, Iowa. Due to the high volume of traffic accessing the cheese producing plant (Twin County Dairy, Inc.), a grocery store east of the intersection, and a large Amish community with horse-drawn wagons and carriages frequently sharing the roads with motorized vehicles, this intersection has developed a crash history that concerns the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), Iowa State Patrol, and local agencies. Considering this, Johnson County and the Iowa DOT requested that a road safety audit be conducted to address the safety concerns and recommend possible mitigation strategies.

Road Safety Audit for I-380 through the Cities of Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha in Linn County, Iowa, 2009

Interstate 380 (I-380) through Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha, Iowa, is a multilane divided urban freeway that was constructed in 1976 to the Cedar River and in 1981 from that point northerly. Traffic volumes vary from 47,000 to 83,500 vehicles per day, with about 8%–15% trucks and buses. Based on concern for the high number of crash incidents, particularly serious crashes, and increased traffic volumes on this roadway, the City of Cedar Rapids and the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) District 6 Office requested that a road safety audit be conducted for this roadway section. Representatives from the Iowa DOT, Federal Highway Administration, Center for Transportation Research and Education, local law enforcement, local government, and area businesses met to review crash data and discuss potential safety improvements to this segment of I-380. This report outlines the findings and recommendations of the road safety audit team for addressing the safety concerns on this I-380 corridor and explains several selected mitigation strategies.

Road Safety Audit for County Road H-46 from Redwood Avenue to the Southerly Corporate Limits of Fairfield in Jefferson County, Iowa, 2010

Jefferson County Road H-46 from Redwood Avenue to the southeast corporate limits (SCL) of Fairfield, Iowa, is a paved roadway approximately 6.5 miles long made of asphaltic concrete pavement with curvilinear alignment. The roadway consists of a 22 ft wide pavement, last overlaid in 2002, with 3 to 4 ft wide earth shoulders. Traffic estimates indicated volumes ranging from 500 to 1,590 vehicles per day, with numbers increasing as the route nears Fairfield. This roadway was found to be among the highest 5 percent of similar Iowa roadways in terms of severity of run-off-road crashes. In response, Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) requested a road safety audit to examine the roadway and suggest possible mitigation. Representatives from the Iowa DOT, Federal Highway Administration, Institute for Transportation, local law enforcement, and local government met to review crash data and discuss potential safety improvements to this segment H-46. This report outlines the findings and recommendations of the road safety audit team for addressing the safety concerns on this roadway.