Analyse veiligheidsmaatregelen bij verkeersincidenten
report
Purpose : Rijkswaterstaat (RWS) Dept. Verkeerscentrum Nederland (VCNL) is confronted with an increasing yearly number of collisions with road inspector cars (WIS-cars) that secure traffic incidents on highways. Therefore, RWS has asked TNO to investigate the causes of these collisions, and to advise on possible solutions to reduce the number of collisions.
Method : TNO has judged the visual aspects of the WIS-car, and specifically the use of so-called E-flares, in a night-time visual experiment. Also, TNO has analysed available literature and reports on the Battenburg livery. And last but not least, TNO has analysed the available information on the collisions with WIS-cars, and has deduced the most probable causes of these collisions.
Results : In the visual experiments, the use of E-flares did not contribute to the visibility of the WIS-car. Even without E-flares, the WIS-car is very visible and recognizable.
The Battenburg livery would result in better visibility and recognition than the current WIS-car striping.
The collisions with WIS-cars are primarily caused by visual obstruction: a car driver’s visual perception of the WIS-car is impaired by other vehicles that block the line of sight to the WIS-car. Another problem is the mono-modal (visual only) presentation of warnings to car drivers: if a car driver is visually distracted, then the warnings are not received.
Conclusion : The use of E-flares will probably not reduce the number of collisions with WIS-cars.
TNO advises RWS to consider the Battenburg livery for the next generation of WIS-cars. The introduction of the Battenburg livery should be harmonized with the specific needs at RWS (e.g., visibility & recognisability from all directions).
TNO suggests the following measures to reduce the number of collisions with WIS-cars:
1. Present warnings multi-modally and more frequently
a. Faster application (and shorter arrival time) of impact attenuator and accompanying measures (e.g. tactile).
b. Auditory information through radio or car navigation
c. Present warnings at a larger distance from the WIS-car
2. Use a different colour for the WIS-car signal lights
Depending on the position of the WIS-car: blue on the lane, yellow on the shoulder
3. Measures to decrease negation of the red cross signal on variable message signs above the road.
Method : TNO has judged the visual aspects of the WIS-car, and specifically the use of so-called E-flares, in a night-time visual experiment. Also, TNO has analysed available literature and reports on the Battenburg livery. And last but not least, TNO has analysed the available information on the collisions with WIS-cars, and has deduced the most probable causes of these collisions.
Results : In the visual experiments, the use of E-flares did not contribute to the visibility of the WIS-car. Even without E-flares, the WIS-car is very visible and recognizable.
The Battenburg livery would result in better visibility and recognition than the current WIS-car striping.
The collisions with WIS-cars are primarily caused by visual obstruction: a car driver’s visual perception of the WIS-car is impaired by other vehicles that block the line of sight to the WIS-car. Another problem is the mono-modal (visual only) presentation of warnings to car drivers: if a car driver is visually distracted, then the warnings are not received.
Conclusion : The use of E-flares will probably not reduce the number of collisions with WIS-cars.
TNO advises RWS to consider the Battenburg livery for the next generation of WIS-cars. The introduction of the Battenburg livery should be harmonized with the specific needs at RWS (e.g., visibility & recognisability from all directions).
TNO suggests the following measures to reduce the number of collisions with WIS-cars:
1. Present warnings multi-modally and more frequently
a. Faster application (and shorter arrival time) of impact attenuator and accompanying measures (e.g. tactile).
b. Auditory information through radio or car navigation
c. Present warnings at a larger distance from the WIS-car
2. Use a different colour for the WIS-car signal lights
Depending on the position of the WIS-car: blue on the lane, yellow on the shoulder
3. Measures to decrease negation of the red cross signal on variable message signs above the road.
Topics
TNO Identifier
525825
Publisher
TNO
Collation
69 p. (incl. bijlagen)
Place of publication
Soesterberg