Article citation information:
Macioszek, E., Czerniakowski, M. Road traffic
safety-related changes introduced on T. Kościuszki and Królowej Jadwigi
Streets in Dąbrowa Górnicza between 2006 and 2015. Scientific Journal of Silesian University of Technology. Series
Transport. 2017, 96, 95-104.
ISSN: 0209-3324. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20858/sjsutst.2017.96.9.
Elżbieta MACIOSZEK[1], Mateusz
CZERNIAKOWSKI[2]
ROAD TRAFFIC SAFETY-RELATED CHANGES INTRODUCED
ON T. KOŚCIUSZKI AND KRÓLOWEJ JADWIGI STREETS
IN DĄBROWA GÓRNICZA BETWEEN 2006 AND 2015
Summary.
This article discusses the results of an analysis of road traffic
safety-related changes introduced in T. Kościuszki and Królowej Jadwigi Streets
in Dąbrowa Górnicza between 2006 and 2015. These changes were caused by the
redevelopment and traffic reorganization at two intersections on T. Kościuszki
Street and one intersection on Królowej Jadwigi Street. Previously, the traffic
flow through these intersections was controlled by means of road signs. Since
then, traffic lights have been installed at two of them, while the third one
has been converted into a single-lane roundabout.
Keywords: road traffic safety; road
accidents; road traffic engineering
1. INTRODUCTION
From the
road traffic engineering perspective, problems related to the analysis of road
traffic safety are significant and frequently addressed. According to
statistics for 2011-2014, Poland was ranked the highest among European
countries in terms of the number of fatalities per one million inhabitants. Safety
has been systematically improving on Polish roads in recent years, which has
led to declining numbers of accidents and related casualties. That said, Poland
is still among the worst EU countries in terms of the number of persons killed
in road accidents. It should also be noted that the risk of losing one’s life
on Polish roads is significantly above the European average and nearly three
times higher than that of road traffic safety leaders. What one should also
emphasize is the fact that nearly every fifth pedestrian casualty in the EU is
someone who has been killed on Polish roads [3, 4].
In order
to remove deficiencies identified in the road infrastructure, as well as
eliminate transport network spots where traffic incidents tend to happen,
different changes have been implemented with the aim of improving the current
status. Some examples of such changes made at road intersections in urbanized
areas include intersection upgrading through conversion into single-lane
roundabouts [2, 5, 6]. Compared to other intersection types, single-lane
roundabouts guarantee unparalleled traffic safety to road users, which explains
their considerable popularity among engineers of road infrastructure elements [7,
9, 11]. Outside urban territories, one of the main reasons for fatal road
accidents is speeding. Consequently, the road infrastructure changes introduced
in these areas are mainly road geometry adjustments. In order to ensure the
consistent implementation of what is referred to as Vision Zero on
roads, the main goal of which is the complete elimination of fatal road traffic
accidents, road traffic safety solutions been frequently modified along every
street or across entire town districts of considerable sizes [1, 8, 10]. This
article addresses road traffic safety-related changes introduced on T.
Kościuszki and Królowej Jadwigi Streets in Dąbrowa Górnicza between 2006 and
2015. These changes were prompted by the redevelopment and traffic
reorganization at two intersections on T. Kościuszki Street and one intersection
on Królowej Jadwigi Street. Previously, the traffic flow through these
intersections was controlled by means of road signs. Since then, traffic lights
have been installed at two of them, while the third has been converted into a
single-lane roundabout. These changes have resulted in diversely successful
improvements to the safety of road traffic users in the streets of interest to
this study.
2. CHARACTERISTICS
OF THE STUDIED STRUCTURES
The road
traffic safety-related changes introduced along T. Kościuszki and Królowej
Jadwigi Streets in Dąbrowa Górnicza were analysed with reference to data, which
were provided by the Department of Transport and Road Management of the Town
Office of Dąbrowa Górnicza, on the traffic organization and geometry of the intersections
on the streets in question. Detailed information on road traffic incidents,
provided by the Department of Road Traffic of the Municipal Police Station in
Dąbrowa Górnicza and extracted from the System of Road Traffic Accident and
Collision Records, was also consulted, as well as road traffic incident data
sheets. The spatial arrangement of the transport infrastructure elements
analysed in the article is presented in Fig. 1.
The
intersection of T. Kościuszki Street and H. Dąbrowskiego Street was rebuilt in
2010. The traffic flow running through it is currently regulated by means of
traffic lights. Prior to the redevelopment, T. Kościuszki Street had the right
of way imposed by a D-1 sign, whereas H. Dąbrowskiego Street was regarded as
minor on account of an A-7 sign. The intersection of T. Kościuszki Street and
W. Przybylaka Street was redeveloped in 2013. It has been functioning as a
single-lane roundabout ever since. Before being rebuilt, T. Kościuszki Street
had the right of way imposed by a D-1 sign, while W. Przybylaka Street was
regarded as minor on account of an A-7 sign. The intersection of Królowej
Jadwigi Street and Księdza G. Augustynika Street was redeveloped in 2010. The
traffic flow running through it is currently regulated by means of traffic
lights. Before the redevelopment, Królowej Jadwigi Street had the right of way
on account of a D-1 sign, while Księdza G. Augustynika Street was regarded as
minor on account of an A-7 sign.
Fig. 1. Spatial arrangement of the
transport infrastructure elements analysed in the article
T. Kościuszki Avenue is a district
road cutting through downtown Dąbrowa Górnicza. At its middle point, it
intersects with provincial road no. 910. The intersection of these two roads is
the two-lane Żołnierzy Wyklętych roundabout situated next to the culture centre
of Pałac Kultury Zagłębia. It is a landmark for this part of the town.
Provincial road no. 910 divides T. Kościuszki Avenue between its northern and
southern parts, which differ from each other, not only in terms of the street
type but also the mode of its development. The northern section is a single
carriageway two-lane road of technical class Z, extending from the Żołnierzy
Wyklętych roundabout to the central railway station, which is the starting point
of Kolejowa Street. The northern part of T. Kościuszki Avenue is a dual
carriageway two-lane road of technical class Z, which connects the Żołnierzy
Wyklętych roundabout with Graniczna Street. The carriageways are separated by a
median strip. To the left of the carriageway, there are numerous town houses,
which have remained from the old urban development of Dabrowa Górnicza.
Królowej Jadwigi Street is a district road of technical class Z, which starts
at the Żołnierzy Wyklętych roundabout.
3. ANALYSIS
OF ROAD TRAFFIC SAFETY-RELATED DATA
The data
subject to analysis comprised the number of road traffic incidents that took
place on the streets and roundabouts in question. These traffic incidents were
examined according to the following categories:
- traffic incidents and their effects
- traffic incidents according to types
- traffic incidents according to
pavement conditions
- traffic incidents according to
weather conditions
- traffic incidents according to
illumination conditions
- traffic incidents according to causes
- traffic incidents according to types
of defaulting vehicles
Tab.
1
Types of road traffic incidents of individual
categories reported most frequently at the road structures studied
|
Street/ intersection of streets Breakdown of road traffic incidents |
T. Kościuszki Street |
Intersection of T. Kościuszki Street and H. Dąbrowskiego Street |
Intersection of T. Kościuszki Street and W. Przybylaka Street |
Królowej Jadwigi Street |
Intersection of Królowej Jadwigi Street and G. Augustynika Street |
|
Traffic incidents according to types |
Vehicle side collisions |
Vehicle side collisions |
Vehicle side collisions |
Vehicle side collisions |
Vehicle side collisions |
|
Traffic incidents according to pavement conditions |
Dry pavement |
Dry pavement |
Dry pavement |
Dry pavement |
Dry pavement |
|
Traffic incidents according to weather conditions |
Good weather conditions |
Good weather conditions |
Good weather conditions |
Good weather conditions |
Good weather conditions |
|
Traffic incidents according to illumination
conditions |
Daylight |
Daylight |
Daylight |
Daylight |
Daylight |
|
Traffic incidents according to causes |
Failure to give way |
Failure to give way |
Failure to give way |
Failure to give way |
Failure to maintain a safe
following distance |
|
Traffic incidents according to types of defaulting
vehicles |
Passenger car |
Passenger car |
Passenger car |
Passenger car |
Passenger car |
Under each
category of the road traffic incidents analysed, one can determine the most
frequent types of events. Table 1 provides a comparison of the most frequently
reported types of road traffic incidents for individual event categories
collated separately for each of the road structures studied.
In 2015, the largest number of road
traffic incidents (54 incidents) within the period subject to analysis took
place on T. Kościuszki Street (Fig. 2). Over the entire period of analysis, the
number of traffic collisions notably exceeded the number of road traffic
accidents in general. Road traffic accidents were happening sporadically, which
translated into a small number of persons injured and killed. As a result of
the analysis, 19 causes for road traffic collisions and accidents were
identified. It was found that road traffic collisions were most frequently
caused by a failure to give way and to maintain a safe following distance.
However, having analysed the causes of road traffic accidents, one can
determine that they were rather diversified, except for 2014 when the majority
of traffic accidents happened due to a failure to give way.
Having analysed the road traffic
incidents that took place at the intersection of T. Kościuszki and H.
Dąbrowskiego Streets in the period 2006-2015, one can determine that the
predominant type was a road traffic collision (Fig. 3). From 2011 onwards, one
can observe an abrupt decline in the number of road traffic incidents (by
around 50-70%). The most frequent cause of road traffic collisions up until
2010 had been the failure to give way. Starting from 2011, on the other hand,
it is difficult to determine the predominant cause of traffic collisions.
The number of road traffic incidents
that took place in the period of analysis at the intersection of T. Kościuszki
and W. Przybylaka Streets was subject to considerable fluctuations (Fig. 4).
The two predominant causes behind road traffic incidents were the failure to
give way and the failure to maintain a safe following distance.
The largest number of road traffic
incidents occurring on Królowej Jadwigi Street was reported in 2010 (135), and
a decrease trend in this respect is observable at this intersection. A decisive
majority of road traffic incidents accounts for collisions. The most frequent
causes of road traffic collisions were the failure to maintain a safe following
distance, the failure to give way and improper lane changing. However, the
causes of road traffic accidents were diversified (Fig. 5).
Fig. 2. Number of road traffic incidents and
accident casualties on T. Kościuszki Street in Dąbrowa Górnicza in the period
2006-2015
Fig. 3. Number of road traffic incidents and
accident casualties at the intersection
of T. Kościuszki Street and H. Dąbrowskiego Street in Dąbrowa Górnicza
in the period 2006-2015
Fig. 4. Number of road traffic
incidents and accident casualties at the intersection
of T. Kościuszki Street and W.
Przybylaka Street in Dąbrowa Górnicza
in the period 2006-2015
Fig. 5. Number of road traffic
incidents and accident casualties on Królowej Jadwigi Street
in Dąbrowa Górnicza in the period
2006-2015
The largest number of road traffic incidents
occurred at the intersection of Królowej Jadwigi and G. Augustyniaka Streets in
2009 (22). The incidents that took place at the intersection were dominated by
road traffic collisions, which were mainly caused by a failure to give way and
maintain a safe following distance, as well as neglecting the obligation to
observe pedestrians’ right of way. Road traffic accidents, on the other hand,
were mainly due to improper passage across pedestrian crossings (Fig. 6).
Fig. 6. Number of road traffic incidents and
accident casualties at the intersection of Królowej Jadwigi Street and G.
Augustynika Street in Dąbrowa Górnicza in the period 2006-2015
4. CONCLUSIONS
Based on results of the analyses addressing the state of road traffic
safety on T. Kościuszki and Królowej Jadwigi Streets in Dąbrowa Górnicza in the
period 2006-2015, one can reach the following conclusions:
- The changes introduced in relation
to the traffic organization and geometry of the intersection of T. Kościuszki
and H. Dąbrowskiego Streets triggered the effect of a reduced number of road
traffic incidents. This reduction was particularly evident in terms of the
number of road traffic accidents (a drop from six before to one after the
changes). Owing to the foregoing changes, a general improvement in road traffic
safety was successfully attained.
- The changes introduced in respect of
the traffic organization and geometry of the intersection of T. Kościuszki and
W. Przybylaka Streets also exerted a positive influence, which translated into
the reduced overall number of road traffic incidents reported for this intersection.
2015 was an exceptional year in this respect, since an abrupt increase in the
number of traffic incidents was observed. However, in order to establish the
direct reasons behind this state of affairs, further detailed analysis is
required.
- The changes to the traffic
organization and geometry of the intersection of Królowej Jadwigi Street and
Księdza G. Augustynika Street triggered the effect of a reduced total number of
road traffic incidents. This reduction was particularly evident in the number of
road traffic accidents (a drop from five before to one after the changes). As a
consequence, a general improvement in road traffic safety was achieved. Owing
to the installation of traffic lights at the intersection, traffic safety also
improved in respect of pedestrian safety at road crossings.
- Despite the reduced number of
traffic incidents at the intersection of T. Kościuszki and H. Dąbrowskiego
Streets and the small number of traffic incidents at the intersection of T.
Kościuszki and W. Przybylaka Streets, no significant drop in the number of road
traffic incidents was observed on T. Kościuszki Street.
- As a consequence of the traffic
organization changes introduced at the intersection of Królowej Jadwigi and
Księdza G. Augustynika Streets, road traffic safety was considerably improved
on Królowej Jadwigi Street.
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Received 13.04.2017; accepted in
revised form 29.07.2017
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