Comparison of level crossings and road junctions based on accident data and perceived danger by road users
Abstract
Level crossings of roads and railways are high risk traffic locations. Several studies have found that the outcome of level crossing accidents is more severe than that of road accidents, and that more people are usually injured in each level crossing accident. However, it was also found that the number of accidents per volume of traffic at level crossings is significantly
lower than at road junctions, partly due to the more stringent safety measures at level crossings. Both at level crossings and at road junctions, the human factor is involved in most accidents. So, the question is: how dangerous are level crossings and what can we do to make them safer? This article compares accident rates at level crossings in Hungary with those at road junctions and presents the results of a questionnaire survey on the level of danger perceived by road users at level crossings and road junctions.
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