A conceptual framework for road safety and mobility applied to cycling safety

Abstract

Scientific literature lacks a model which combines exposure to risk, risk, and the relationship between them. This paper presents a conceptual road safety framework comprising mutually interacting factors for exposure to risk resulting from travel behaviour (volumes, modal split, and distribution of traffic over time and space) and for risk (crash and injury risk). The framework's three determinants for travel behaviour are locations of activities; resistances (generalized transport costs); needs, opportunities, and abilities. Crash and injury risks are modelled by the three 'safety pillars': infrastructure, road users and the vehicles they use. Creating a link in the framework between risk and exposure is important because of the 'non-linear relationship' between them, i.e. risk tends to decrease as exposure increases. Furthermore, 'perceived' risk (a type of travel resistance) plays a role in mode choice, i.e. the perception that a certain type of vehicle is unsafe can be a deterrent to its use. This paper uses theories to explain how the elements in the model interact. Cycling is an area where governments typically have goals for both mobility and safety. To exemplify application of the model, the paper uses the framework to link research on cycling (safety) to land use and infrastructure. The model's value lies in its ability to identify potential consequences of measures and policies for both exposure and risk. This is important from a scientific perspective and for policy makers who often have objectives for both mobility and safety.

Modelling and Improving Safety in Production System Design: Overall Approach and by Features, a Case Study

“…In this light also, [10] made recommendations to facilitate and encourage continue discussion and efforts toward the integration of process safety engineering and fire protection engineering. A conceptual road safety framework comprising mutually interacting factors for exposure to risk resulting from travel behavior and for risk, is presented in [11]. The model's value lies in its ability to identify potential consequences of measures and policies for both exposure and risk.…”

Cycling as a Part of Daily Life: A Review of Health Perspectives

“…In the following, selected additional topics related to cycling safety are addressed. For helpful overviews of further factors related to cycling safety, see Wegman et al (2012), Schepers, Hagenzieker, Methorst, Van Wee, and Wegman (2014), Ragland, Grembek, Orrick, and Felschundneff (2013), and the OECD report 'Cycling, Health and Safety' (2013).…”

Recommendation of Sensors for Vehicles to Control Road Accidents

“…Schepers P. et al, provides a framework by considering a various attributes such as modal spilt, distribution of traffic, volumes and the risk factor associated with it [5]. The main deterministic attribute for the proposed framework are the transport cost, location of the incident.…”