How to Assess the Dangerousness of Driving Situations at Pedestrian Crossings

Abstract

The paper analyzes drivers' behavior when solving complex driving situations at pedestrian crossing locations. The findings of the research are based on a detailed analysis of 129 driving tests carried out in real road traffic. The results of the evaluation clarify important characteristics of drivers' behavior at pedestrian crossing locations. Of particular importance are the findings on when pedestrians become an important visual stimulus for drivers, how the driver's behavior affects the complexity of the driving situation, and the overall design of the location where pedestrians cross. From these findings, appropriate criteria for assessing the hazardousness of such driving situations are derived, and limits are found. These limits allow, based on relatively easy-to-detect quantitative data, to determine the dangerousness of a particular driving situation in real road traffic. According to the authors, the findings are particularly useful in assessing the ability of road users to prevent an accident from occurring. Using the results allows experts to assess better the causal links associated with traffic accidents, thus facilitating a further legal assessment.The paper analyzes drivers' behavior when solving complex driving situations at pedestrian crossing locations. The findings of the research are based on a detailed analysis of 129 driving tests carried out in real road traffic. The results of the evaluation clarify important characteristics of drivers' behavior at pedestrian crossing locations. Of particular importance are the findings on when pedestrians become an important visual stimulus for drivers, how the driver's behavior affects the complexity of the driving situation, and the overall design of the location where pedestrians cross. From these findings, appropriate criteria for assessing the hazardousness of such driving situations are derived, and limits are found. These limits allow, based on relatively easy-to-detect quantitative data, to determine the dangerousness of a particular driving situation in real road traffic. According to the authors, the findings are particularly useful in assessing the ability of road users to prevent an accident from occurring. Using the results allows experts to assess better the causal links associated with traffic accidents, thus facilitating a further legal assessment.