Citation

Zovak G, Berakovic G, Ostrun I. Promet 2004; 16(6): 343-346.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Faculty of Traffic and Transport Sciences, University of Zagreb)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The frequency of traffic accidents on any given road section depends greatly on its design and deficiencies. The data on the traffic road and its surroundings include the geometrical characteristics of the traffic route (horizontal and vertical), constuction elements (longitudinal and transversal gradients, type of carriageway bed, drainage), condition of the roadway (cracks, potholes), traffic route equipment (barriers, retroreflective poles for the signs), visibility, road signalization, and lighting. This article reports on the reconstruction of a section of roadway that was undertaken in order to improve the traffic safety in that area. The section of roadway is preceded by a section of 17 kilometers of uniform straight road, the last 5 kilometers of which feature a slight descent. This road gives drivers a false feeling of security and they lose the sense of speed. Followed the straight section, there is a right curve, the radius of which does not meet the conditions of the calculated driving speed of the vehicle on the roadway, which is an overpass over the railway line (ascending) and is not well laid out. In addition, the roadway is oriented perfectly east-west, which adds in problems with sun-rays, particularly in the morning. In an eight-year period, this stretch of roadway had seen 47 traffic accidents. The authors describe the measures taken to improve safety at this stretch of roadway. These include marking the physical curve layout with signs, and improving the edge lines to improve proper guidance of traffic flow. The authors report that since the reconstruction activities, a significantly smaller number of traffic accidents have occurred, although the number of vehicles passing along this section is constantly increasing.