Roadway Human Factors and Behavioral Safety in Europe

PDF Version (3.5 mb)

• Executive Summary
  • Panel Composition
  • Sites Visited
  • Key Findings
  • Implementation
• Chapter One-Introduction
  • Panel Composition
  • Sites Visited
  • Key Findings
• Chapter Two-Self-Organizing Roads
  • 2+1 Roadway Design
  • Urban Design
• Chapter Three-Driving Simulators: Roadway Design and Visualization
  • Laerdal Tunnel Project
  • Stockholm Ring Road
  • Traffic Systems Studies
  • Validity
  • Influence of Fog on Driving Behavior
  • Simulator Fidelity
• Chapter Four-Multidisciplinary Teams
  • VALT 2003 Methods
• Chapter Five-Speed Management
  • Speed Cameras
  • Variable Speed Limits
  • Intelligent Speed Adaptation
• Chapter Six-Human-Centered Roadway Analysis and Design
  • HUMANIST
  • Children's Pedestrian Behavior
• Chapter Seven-Cognitive Models
  • COSMODRIVE
  • Driver Behavior Model
  • Hierarchical Driver Task-Cube Model
• Chapter Eight-Top-Down Leadership
  • Vision Zero
  • Sustainable Safety
  • Executive Direction
• Chapter Nine-Implementation
  • Self-Organizing Roads and Evaluation of 2+1 Roadway Design
  • Driving Simulators: Roadway Design and Visualization
  • Multidisciplinary Crash Investigation Teams
  • Human-Centered Roadway Analysis and Design
  • Top-Down Leadership Commitment
  • Speed Management
• Appendix A-Scan Study Site Information
• Appendix B-Scan Study Site Agendas
• Appendix C-Team Members
• Appendix D-Amplifying Questions

Figures

1. Scan team in Helsinki preparing for first site visit.
2. Map of sites visited.
3. Team cochairs presenting an overview of the scan study goals in Helsinki.
4. Topography can create self-organizing roads.
5. A roundabout is a self-organizing road.
6. Scan team members examining 2+1 road in Sweden.
7. 2+1 roadway. Note the cable barrier and sign indicating the length of the passing lane.
8. 2+1 cable barrier. The post is easily removed for maintenance.
9. Proposed standard 2+1-cable barrier cross section within existing 13-m (14.2-yd) roadway.
10. Example of road narrowing in the Netherlands.
11. The Laerdal Tunnel project.
12. Alternate lighting models for the Laerdal Tunnel.
13. Improved design of rock cavern and roundabout increased safety and comfort.
14. Rock caverns.
15. Ernest Huckaby, Tore Knudsen, and Barry Kantowitz discuss SINTEF's mission.
16. Gunnar Jenssen explains self-organizing roads.
17. Scan team members Tom Granda and Leanna Depue ride in the SINTEF driving simulator.
18. The Stockholm Ring Road-25 km (15.5 mi) tunnels with underground junctions.
19. VTI's driving simulator hall.
20. The virtual tunnel defined by combining data from several data sources: drawings, photographs, models, and discussions.
21. Researcher Selma de Ridder explains driver behavior.
22. Researcher Viola Cavallo presents fog simulation results.
23. Barry Kantowitz, report facilitator, participates in meeting on driving simulators.
24. VTI Driving Simulator III.
25. Roundabout entry in Sweden.
26. Sign indicating speed camera in Sweden.
27. Project Manager Bente Nielsen presents intelligent speed adaptation overview.
28. The COSMODRIVE cognitive model.
29. Driver behavior model used at TNO.
30. The driver task-cube model.

Tables

1. Team members.
2. Sites visited.
3. Examples of simulator studies.
4. Benefit and cost considerations when selecting a driving simulator.

Notice

The Federal Highway Administration provides high-quality information to serve Government, industry, and the public in a manner that promotes public understanding. Standards and policies are used to ensure and maximize the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of its information. FHWA periodically reviews quality issues and adjusts its programs and processes to ensure continuous quality improvement.

Technical Report Documentation Page

1. Report No. FHWA-PL-05-005
2. Government Accession No.
3. Recipient's Catalog No.
4. Title and Subtitle Roadway Human Factors and Behavioral Safety in Europe
5. Report Date May 2005
6. Performing Organization Code
7. Author(s) Kevin Keith, Michael Trentacoste, Leanna Depue, Thomas Granda, Ernest Huckaby, Bruce Ibarguen, Barry Kantowitz, Wesley Lum, Terecia Wilson
8. Performing Organization Report No.
9. Performing Organization Name and Address
   American Trade Initiatives
   P.O. Box 8228
   Alexandria, VA 22306-8228
10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)
11. Contract or Grant No. DTFH61-99-C-005
12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address
    Office of International Programs
    Office of Policy
    Federal Highway Administration
    U.S. Department of Transportation
    American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
13. Type of Report and Period Covered
14. Sponsoring Agency Code
15. Supplementary Notes
    FHWA COTR: Hana Maier, Office of International Programs
16. Abstract

    Human factors issues associated with roadway design and operations are critical components of improving highway safety. The Federal Highway Administration, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and National Cooperative Highway Research Program sponsored a scanning study of European countries to identify how they incorporate human factors issues in the research, design, and operation of highways.

    The U.S. delegation observed seven concepts in Denmark, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden that it recommends for possible implementation in the United States. They include self-organizing roads, use of driving simulators in roadway design, multidisciplinary teams to investigate crashes, speed management techniques such as speed cameras, human-centered roadway analysis and design, cognitive models of drivers, and top-down leadership on safety goals.

    The team's recommendations for U.S. action include evaluating the 2+1 roadway design, promoting the use of driving simulators among the road-design community, assessing opportunities for coordinating longterm research on human factors and cognitive models, and encouraging top leadership commitment to road safety improvement.

17. Key Words
    2+1 roadway, cognitive model, driving simulator, human factors, multidisciplinary crash investigation team, safety, self-organizing road, speed management
18. Distribution Statement

    No restrictions. This document is available to the public from the: Office of International Programs, FHWA-HPIP, Room 3325, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590
    international@fhwa.dot.gov
    www.international.fhwa.dot.gov

19. Security Classify. (of this report) Unclassified
20. Security Classify. (of this page) Unclassified
21. No. of Pagesc 52
22. Price Free

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized

Prepared by the International Scanning Study Team

Kevin Keith
Missouri DOT
Cochair

Michael Trentacoste
FHWA
Cochair

Leanna DePue
Central Missouri State University

Thomas Granda
FHWA

Ernest Huckaby
FHWA

Bruce Ibarguen
Maine DOT

Barry Kantowitz
University of Michigan
Report Facilitator

Wesley Lum
California DOT

Terecia Wilson
South Carolina DOT

American Trade Initiatives, Inc.
LGB & Associates, Inc.
Federal Highway Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
National Cooperative Highway Research Program

(Panel 20-36)
of the Transportation Research Board

May 2005
FHWA International Technology Exchange Program

The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Technology Exchange Program accesses and evaluates innovative foreign technologies and practices that could significantly benefit U.S. highway transportation systems. This approach allows for advanced technology to be adapted and put into practice much more efficiently without spending scarce research funds to recreate advances already developed by other countries.

The main channel for accessing foreign innovations is the International Technology Scanning Program. The program is undertaken jointly with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and its Special Committee on International Activity Coordination in cooperation with the Transportation Research Board's National Cooperative Highway Research Program Project 20-36 on "Highway Research and Technology-International Information Sharing," the private sector, and academia.

FHWA and AASHTO jointly determine priority topics for teams of U.S. experts to study. Teams in the specific areas being investigated are formed and sent to countries where significant advances and innovations have been made in technology, management practices, organizational structure, program delivery, and financing. Scanning teams usually include representatives from FHWA, State departments of transportation, local governments, transportation trade and research groups, the private sector, and academia.  

After a scan is completed, team members evaluate findings and develop comprehensive reports, including recommendations for further research and pilot projects to verify the value of adapting innovations for U.S. use. Scan reports, as well as the results of pilot programs and research, are circulated throughout the country to State and local transportation officials and the private sector. Since 1990, FHWA has organized more than 60 international scans and disseminated findings nationwide on topics such as pavements, bridge construction and maintenance, contracting, intermodal transport, organizational management, winter road maintenance, safety, intelligent transportation systems, planning, and policy.

The International Technology Scanning Program has resulted in significant improvements and savings in road program technologies and practices throughout the United States. In some cases, scan studies have facilitated joint research and technology-sharing projects with international counterparts, further conserving resources and advancing the state of the art. Scan studies have also exposed transportation professionals to remarkable advancements and inspired implementation of hundreds of innovations. The result: large savings of research dollars and time, as well as significant improvements in the Nation's transportation system.

For a complete list of International Technology Scanning Program topics and to order free copies of the reports, please see the list contained in this publication and at www.international.fhwa.dot.gov, or e-mail international@fhwa.dot.gov.

FHWA International Technology Exchange Reports

International Technology Scanning Program

Bringing Global Innovations to U.S. Highways

Safety

• Roadway Human Factors and Behavioral Safety in Europe (2005)
• Traffic Safety Information Systems in Europe and Australia (2004)
• Signalized Intersection Safety in Europe (2003)
• Managing and Organizing Comprehensive Highway Safety in Europe (2003)
• European Road Lighting Technologies (2001)
• Commercial Vehicle Safety, Technology, and Practice in Europe (2000)
• Methods and Procedures to Reduce Motorist Delays in European Work Zones (2000)
• Innovative Traffic Control Technology and Practice in Europe (1999)
• Road Safety Audits-Final Report and Case Studies (1997)
• Speed Management and Enforcement Technology: Europe and Australia (1996)
• Safety Management Practices in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand (1995)
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety in England, Germany, and the Netherlands (1994)

Planning and Environment

• Transportation Performance Measures in Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand (2004)
• European Right-of-Way and Utilities Best Practices (2002)
• Geometric Design Practices for European Roads (2002)
• Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Across European Highways (2002)
• Sustainable Transportation Practices in Europe (2001)
• Recycled Materials In European Highway Environments (1999)
• European Intermodal Programs: Planning, Policy, and Technology (1999)
• National Travel Surveys (1994)

Policy and Information

• European Practices in Transportation Workforce Development (2003)
• Intelligent Transportation Systems and Winter Operations in Japan (2003)
• Emerging Models for Delivering Transportation Programs and Services (1999)
• National Travel Surveys (1994)
• Acquiring Highway Transportation Information from Abroad (1994)
• International Guide to Highway Transportation Information (1994)
• International Contract Administration Techniques for Quality Enhancement (1994)
• European Intermodal Programs: Planning, Policy, and Technology (1994)

Operations

• Superior Materials, Advanced Test Methods, and Specifications in Europe (2004)
• Freight Transportation: The Latin American Market (2003)
• Meeting 21st Century Challenges of System Performance Through Better Operations (2003)
• Traveler Information Systems in Europe (2003)
• Freight Transportation: The European Market (2002)
• European Road Lighting Technologies (2001)
• Methods and Procedures to Reduce Motorist Delays in European Work Zones (2000)
• Innovative Traffic Control Technology and Practice in Europe (1999)
• European Winter Service Technology (1998)
• Traffic Management and Traveler Information Systems (1997)
• European Traffic Monitoring (1997)
• Highway/Commercial Vehicle Interaction (1996)
• Winter Maintenance Technology and Practices-Learning from Abroad (1995)
• Advanced Transportation Technology (1994)
• Snowbreak Forest Book-Highway Snowstorm Countermeasure Manual (1990)

Infrastructure-General

• European Practices in Transportation Workforce Development (2003)
• Contract Administration: Technology and Practice in Europe (2002)
• European Road Lighting Technologies (2001)
• Geometric Design Practices for European Roads (2001)
• Geotechnical Engineering Practices in Canada and Europe (1999)
• Geotechnology-Soil Nailing (1993)

Infrastructure-Pavements

• Pavement Preservation Technology in France, South Africa, and Australia (2003)
• Recycled Materials In European Highway Environments (1999)
• South African Pavement and Other Highway Technologies and Practices (1997)
• Highway/Commercial Vehicle Interaction (1996)
• European Concrete Highways (1992)
• European Asphalt Technology (1990)

Infrastructure-Bridges

• Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems in Japan and Europe (2005)
• Bridge Preservation and Maintenance in Europe and South Africa (2005)
• Performance of Concrete Segmental and Cable-Stayed Bridges in Europe (2001)
• Steel Bridge Fabrication Technologies in Europe and Japan (2001)
• European Practices for Bridge Scour and Stream Instability Countermeasures (1999)
• Advanced Composites in Bridges in Europe and Japan (1997)
• Asian Bridge Structures (1997)
• Bridge Maintenance Coatings (1997)
• Northumberland Strait Crossing Project (1996)
• European Bridge Structures (1995)

All publications are available on the Internet at www.international.fhwa.dot.gov

Office of International Programs
FHWA/US DOT (HPIP)
400 Seventh Street, SW Washington, DC 20590
Tel: 202-366-9636
Fax: 202-366-9626
international@fhwa.dot.gov
www.international.fhwa.dot.gov