Improving Traffic Safety on Motorways

Abstract

Motorway construction projects usually prove to be substantial and cost-effective, since in most cases, the beneficial impact to traffic conditions is significant. Time delays and traffic accidents are lessened whereas increased serviceability and comfort is provided to drivers and passengers. Road safety, especially, may increase by 5 to 10 times in terms of accident rates with respect to the pre-existing national or regional network. However, road accidents still occur on motorways. Due to the basic concept of motorway design, the accident rate is low but the severity of some accidents is high despite the specific road assets meant to provide traffic safety.   A thorough study of the origin, the type and the severity of some accidents is attempted to enhance safety on motorways. In this paper, an overview of actual traffic conditions on motorways with regard to road safety is presented. The proposed analysis of the main causes and the mechanism of typical road accidents lead to indicative but effective measures to improve the level of safety, as well as comfort and serviceability, in most cases
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