An integrated approach to evaluate policies for controlling traffic law violations

Abstract

Modeling dynamics of the driver behavior is a complex problem. In this paper a system approach is introduced to model and to analyze the driver behavior related to traffic law violations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This paper demonstrates how the theoretical relationships between different factors can be expressed formally, and how the resulting model can assist in evaluating potential benefits of various policies to control the traffic law violations Using system approach, an integrated dynamic simulation model is developed, and model is tested to simulate the driver behavior for violating traffic laws during 2002–2007 in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The dynamic simulation model attempts to address the questions: (1) “ what” interventions should be implemented to reduce and eventually control traffic violations which will lead to improving road safety and (2) “ how” to justify those interventions will be effective or ineffective to control the violations in different transportation conditions. The simulation results reveal promising capability of applying system approach in the policy evaluation studies.