IATSS Research最新文献

In Japan, the key pieces of legislations governing road safety, namely the Road Transport Vehicle Act and the Road Traffic Act, have been revised to tackle drunk driving and, recently, to allow the development of self-driving cars. Traffic safety on public roads depends on a holistic system of vehicle control and a graduated response to traffic violation. If small violations are dealt with via a simplified system of fines, drunk driving and other form of dangerous driving need a stronger response that also includes criminal incrimination. The other major evolution in traffic-safety law is the gradual introduction of legislation allowing self-driving cars. After reducing the obstacles to the operation of automated vehicles with technology comparable to SAE level 3 on public roads, legislation has recently introduced a system comprising three entities for SAE level 4 cars in order to safely transition to driverless traffic operation. However, the key concepts and definitions—even for terms as simple as the “driver” —still need to be reviewed and improved to better fit this futuristic mode of driving.

Background

As urban landscapes rapidly integrate e-scooters into their transportation ecosystems, understanding pedestrian-e-scooter interactions becomes paramount for safety and planning. This study investigates pedestrian discomfort levels and avoidance strategies when encountering an e-scooter approaching from the front.

Methods

25 participants were exposed to e-scooters approaching at three different speeds and lateral distances. Avoidance paths were plotted, and subjective discomfort levels were recorded and analysed.

Results

Our findings underscored two key behaviours: 1) As the speed of the e-scooter increased, participants initiated avoidance manoeuvres from a further distance ahead, suggesting a heightened perception of risk. 2) Regardless of the e-scooter's speed, the lateral distance maintained during passing remained fairly constant. However, when the e-scooter's initial lateral position was closer to participants, both the initiation distance for avoidance and the reported discomfort level increased noticeably.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the critical influence of lateral distance and e-scooter speed on pedestrian comfort and avoidance behaviour. These insights can guide urban planners and policymakers in designing safer and more efficient shared spaces.

Despite the recent decline in child deaths caused by road traffic crashes in high income countries, low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) have yet to experience a similar trend. Children are among the most vulnerable of road users accounting for 30–40 % of all road traffic deaths in LMICs, 50 % of which are vehicle occupants. Previous research suggests that children ages 0–9 are the second most vulnerable age group in Ghana with 54 % of the children being fatally injured in injury-related crashes. However, little has been done to identify the associated factors influencing injury severity outcomes for child passengers in Ghana. This study investigates the factors that are associated with the various injury severity outcomes for child vehicle occupants less than 9 years old involved in road crashes in Ghana from 2014 to 2020. Results indicate that older child passengers (aged 5–8) were associated with lower injury severities compared to younger passengers. Additionally, crashes in which the driver sustained more severe injuries resulted in a higher likelihood of the child passengers sustaining a fatal injury. Findings from this research emphasize the issue of child passenger safety and support transportation policy and decision making to reduce risks of injury for child passengers.