Road Safety System Research Articles

ASSESSING THE DYNAMICS OF CHANGES IN ROAD SAFETY INDICATORS IN UKRAINE

Purpose. A study of road traffic in Ukraine shows that despite several legislative and regulatory documents aimed at improving road safety, the total number of road traffic accidents (RTAs) is increasing from 2015 to 2021. According to statistical data, each road traffic accident involves more than one injured person on average. A significant reduction in the accident rate can be achieved by developing a national action programme to improve road safety, which should be based on a systematic analysis of the nature and causes of road accidents. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to conduct a comprehensive study of the level of road safety in Ukraine based on a systematic approach to assessing road accident data. Methodology. In the course of the research, the methods of regression analysis were used to study the absolute, specific and relative accident rates and the causes of accidents. All calculations were performed using Excel software. Results. This paper studies the international regulatory framework and national legislative documents aimed at improving traffic safety. An analysis of changes in absolute, specific and relative accident rates in 22 regions of the country is carried out. The general trends in accident rates in Ukraine from 2015 to 2021 are identified. The total number of road accidents in Ukraine, with some fluctuations in some years, has been increasing from 2015 to 2021. However, the percentage of road accidents with victims in the total number of accidents is decreasing. The social risk indicator in 2021 decreased by 15.86% compared to 2015. However, this figure remains almost twice as high as in top countries, where even those who died within 30 days of being injured in a road accident are taken into account. The scientific novelty. Based on the methods of mathematical statistics and regression analysis, the methods of estimating absolute, specific and relative accident rates, which take into account the number of victims, injured and killed in road accidents in the study of different regions of Ukraine, have been further developed. The practical significance. The obtained regression dependencies of accident rates can be used to formulate the provisions of an effective national road safety system aimed at significantly reducing the number of people killed and injured in road accidents, as well as reducing the economic losses caused by them.

Special Issue: Recent Advances in Intelligent Vehicular Networks and Communications

Over the last few decades, research on intelligent vehicular networks and communications has grown significantly due to the increasing demand for advanced vehicular technologies and the need for enhanced road safety, traffic management, and efficient transportation systems [...]

Influence of Driver Eye Height and Obstacle Height on Sight Distance

Abstract Road traffic safety is a series of methods and measures aimed to reducing the risk of injury for road users. Road accidents are events that have an extremely strong socio-economic impact on society as a whole and directly on its members. The road is a basic component of the road safety system and is represented by the road and the area adjacent to it, which influences the flow of road traffic. Basically, the driver “reads” the road and based on that information adopts the behaviour, mainly speed. The road elements of the road and the homogeneity of these characteristics, visibility in curves, the layout of intersections, the uniformity and roughness of the road surface are only some of the essential elements of the traffic safety study at the design stage. But even on a very well-designed road, many accidents occur because of the other possible factors. The road elements characteristic of roads are the totality of the road components in plan view, elevation and cross section. In this case study, a section of road of technical class III was considered. The design speed of the road section studied is 80 km/h and the lane width is 3.50 m, according to the technical standards in force. The study was carried out for design speeds of 80 km/h and 60 km/h respectively, the height of the eyes will be considered as 1.00 m, 1.10 m, 1.20 m and 1.30 m, and for the height of the obstacle will have variable height, more precisely, for the speed of 80 km/h the heights will be 0.20 m, 0.40 m, 0.60 m, 0.80 m, 1.00 m, and for the speed of 60 km/h, they will be 0.00 m, 0.10 m, 0.20 m.

Activities of the militia in Ukraine to ensure road safety in the 1950s

In the 1950s, the daily functions of the militia continued to include combating violations of street traffic rules and controlling the decrease in motor vehicle accidents. The accident rate on the roads of the republic at that time remained high. An analysis of the current state of road safety shows that the level of accidents, injuries and deaths on the roads was influenced by such objective factors as the level of development of the regulatory framework, the technical condition of vehicles, the level of development of the road network, its quality, and weather and climatic conditions. Subjective factors included the level of legal culture of road users (drivers and pedestrians), the degree of their readiness to participate in traffic, the professional qualifications and material and technical equipment of the employees of the State Automobile Inspection. During this period, state bodies carried out significant, but ambiguous in quality, rule-making work, the purpose of which was to develop measures aimed at improving both objective and subjective conditions that affected the state of road safety and were of a mutually agreed nature. The established driver training mechanism was one of the important components of the effective operation of the road safety system. Therefore, the activities of state bodies, in particular the State Automobile Inspection of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Ukrainian SSR, were aimed at forming not only stable skills in driving vehicles among the drivers, but also behavioral stereotypes that require compliance with legal norms in the field of road safety. At the same time, it was necessary to develop and legally establish criteria for assessing the quality of their training in the relevant institutions. Militia bodies carried out quite active work to improve the situation with road accidents, which included measures of administrative influence, involvement of the public in monitoring violations of traffic rules, various propaganda activities, but its effectiveness was ultimately insignificant.

Ефективність заходів щодо запобігання дорожньо-транспортним пригодам: огляд сучасних стратегій та підходів

This article investigates the problem of road traffic accidents (RTA) and reviews current strategies and approaches to prevent and reduce them. The significance of this problem is that the health of road users and the safety of vehicle traffic on roads is one of the most important global societal issues, especially with the continuous growth in the number of vehicles and the pace of urban activity. The article examines various aspects of road traffic accident prevention, including legal, technical, psychological and educational measures. It analyzes current trends in the development and implementation of road safety programs, as well as successful practices to reduce the number of accidents and injuries on the roads. Based on a study of the effectiveness of various strategies and programs aimed at reducing the number of accidents and casualties in traffic accidents, the article provides information on which measures are most effective and how they can be implemented in different contexts. In addition, it emphasizes the importance of cooperation between the authorities, public organizations and citizens in implementing road safety. The article also discusses in detail the importance of preventive measures, which may include educational campaigns and awareness-raising activities on vehicle safety on the roads. It also analyzes the legal norms and penalties for violations of traffic rules and the possibility of studying and using the experience of other countries, in particular Poland, in ensuring the safety of vehicles on the roads. The concluding part of the article discusses the prospects for the future development of road safety systems and the challenges that may arise in the future. The findings of this study can be useful for policy makers, researchers, and road safety professionals to improve road safety and reduce the number of road traffic accidents.

Smart Vehicle Accident Prevention and Road Safety System with Real Time Data Acquisition

Smart Vehicle Accident Prevention and Road Safety System with Real Time Data Acquisition

Unmanned aerial vehicles in the road safety system

W artykule przedstawiono potencjalne możliwości zastosowania dronów w systemie bezpieczeństwa ruchu drogowego (BRD), przewidywane na podstawie ewolucji technologii bezzałogowej. Zaprezentowano wymagania stawiane użytkownikom (operatorom) technologii bezzałogowych statków powietrznych (BSP) w odniesieniu do BRD. Problem badawczy sformułowano na podstawie doświadczeń oraz badań nad BSP operującymi nad drogami, skrzyżowaniami oraz w środowisku kolizji i wypadków w ruchu drogowym. Dokonano bilansu szans i zagrożeń w odniesieniu do użycia BSP w BRD. Zbadano nastroje społeczne w odniesieniu do kwestii świadomości prawnej operatów dronów. Podjęto próbę wskazania możliwości kształtowania świadomości prawnej oraz odpowiedzialności karnej wraz z analizą zaimplementowanych dotychczas środków zaradczych. Wskazano koncepcję bezpiecznego przepływu ruchu statków bezzałogowych w przestrzeni powietrznej. Podjęto próbę oceny potencjału wsparcia systemu bezpieczeństwa ruchu drogowego przez użycie wyspecjalizowanych BSP. Z przeprowadzonych badań wynika, że zastosowanie dronów w BRD umożliwi identyfikację ruchu drogowego w czasie rzeczywistym z bardzo dobrą dokładnością (kamery o wysokiej rozdzielczości), w tym identyfikację pojazdów, pieszych oraz rowerzystów, a także sprawdzanie prędkości pojazdów, określanie długości kolejek na skrzyżowaniach, pomiar natężenia ruchu, wykrywanie naruszeń przepisów ruchu drogowego oraz identyfikację miejsc niebezpiecznych czy ostrzeganie kierowców o potencjalnych zagrożeniach.

Advancements in Road Safety: A Comprehensive Review of YOLOv8 Models for Speed Breaker Detection and Road Segmentation

Abstract: This literature review critically examines recent strides in road safety, centering on the integration of YOLOv8 models for speed breaker detection and road segmentation. The paper illuminates the project's triumphs, underscoring the multifaceted applications of YOLOv8 in intelligent transportation systems, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and the evolving landscape of autonomous vehicles. The exploration encompasses an insightful overview of traditional road safety systems, elucidating their limitations and the imperative for advanced technologies like YOLOv8. It delves into the rich tapestry of research integrating YOLOv8 models into broader road safety systems, elucidating their benefits and discerning potential challenges. The assessment further navigates through performance evaluations, featuring an array of studies analyzing YOLOv8's efficacy in road safety contexts. It scrutinizes case studies and real-world applications where YOLOv8-based integrated road safety systems have been successfully implemented, shedding light on both triumphs and tribulations. The discourse expands to future trends and research directions, foreseeing the trajectory of integrated road safety systems and their synergy with evolving computer vision technologies. Altogether, this literature review offers a panoramic understanding of YOLOv8's role in reshaping road safety paradigms, simultaneously outlining challenges and heralding future possibilities in this dynamic domain.

A Study on the Impact of Air Pollution on Health Status of Traffic Police Personnel in Kolkata, India

The global concern of escalating ambient air pollution and its profound impact on human health is paramount. While traffic police personnel are critical for maintaining the road safety and transportation system of any city in India, they are susceptible to occupational health risks due to ambient air pollution. This study investigated health challenges faced by traffic police personnel due to prolonged exposure to air pollutants prevalent in traffic-congested areas, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. The first phase of this study collected and analyzed secondary air quality data over five years (2019–2023) across six locations in Kolkata, India. The second phase employed a questionnaire-based survey to assess the health implications of air pollution exposure. The survey questionnaire captured information on physical health symptoms, stress-related indicators, lifestyle habits, and work hours of around 100 police personnel from Kolkata with indoor (control group) and outdoor (exposed group) work responsibilities. The results of this study established a strong positive correlation between air pollution and a range of health issues experienced by the exposed group. The outcome of this study is significant for urban planning, policy formulation, and public health interventions geared toward minimizing the adverse impacts of air pollution on traffic police personnel.

Method for assessing the state of targets and indicators in the road safety system

The method for assessing the state of target indicators and indicators in the road safety system discussed in the article is aimed at taking into account the full set of elements and their connections, indicators and indicators. The need for a systematic approach to reveal the integrity of system elements and target indicators and indicators is substantiated. Statistical information on indicators and indicators in the road safety system has been systematized, and the need to evaluate the criteria of the studied road safety process — "assessment of the state of road safety" — has been substantiated. To determine the causes of road accidents and predict the risk of road accidents, the boundaries of the system under study, meters of system objects, subsystems were determined, and target indicators and indicators in the road safety system were taken into account. Keywords road safety, systems approach, complex system, zero mortality, traffic accident, indicators, indicators

WAR AS A CHALLENGE TO ROAD SAFETY: DAMAGE TO SOCIETY AND THE ECONOMY OF UKRAINE

Purpose of the article. Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine has become a real challenge and threat to Ukrainian society in various aspects of life. The lack of financial resources due to the defensive nature of the economy caused by the war makes it difficult to ensure road safety in Ukraine and to prevent deaths and injuries on the roads. The topical issue of the state of road safety in Ukraine is also related to its European integration course, as road safety is a priority European policy task for EU member states. The aim of this article is to conduct a criminological analysis of the state of road safety in Ukraine during the war, and to determine the damage caused by road traffic injuries and fatalities to the Ukrainian economy and society as a whole, taking into account the war situation. Research conclusion. The assessment of the state of road safety in Ukraine is based on official statistical information from the General Prosecutor's Office and the Department of Patrol Police, and the theoretical conclusions are based on the results of an anonymous survey of Ukrainian drivers on their compliance with traffic rules. The study of the level of road traffic accidents with fatalities and injuries in Ukraine has shown that the state of road safety deteriorated during the war in comparison with the pre-war period. The impact of the war on this condition is diverse and depends on the dislocation of the region in Ukraine and the intensity of combat operations in a given area. It has been established that among the factors significantly influencing the quantitative and qualitative indicators of violations in the field of road safety during the war, the most significant are the destruction of objects of road and transport infrastructure, a decrease in the effectiveness of patrol police activities, the construction of road fortifications, etc. The article also reveals the characteristics of the road safety system in wartime, emphasising the inadmissibility of extrapolating the state of road safety from the pre-war period to wartime, including in the direction of preventing violations in this area.

Study of quality models used by logistics operators in Argentina and South America

This research aims to gather information on the use of Excellence models (such as the Quality Awards) by Logistics Operators in Argentina and neighboring countries. Therefore, the object of the research is the quality models used by logistics operators. In general, these organizations, and mainly those where Logistics is their main service, have begun applying quality standards later than other types of organizations, like those in the manufacture or services industries. This is because their practice is not deemed an added-value activity by the customer. This study found that, at the regional level, these companies are in the process of applying Quality, Environmental, Road Safety and other Management Systems from the ISO suite (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 39001, etc.), but the use of Excellence models is only present in some, mainly in Argentina-based companies. Remarkably, this behavior does not replicate in other countries of the region (Brazil, Chile, Uruguay), where the aforementioned standards are more widely applied. On the other hand, some countries have their own standards (Argentina, Brazil) for Freight activities developed by their local chambers, but these are mainly focused on the operational aspect of their activity. In this study, information was collected regarding the methodology related to quality and excellence of 109 companies, belonging to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru. At the regional level, the ISO 9001 management model is adopted by 68 % of the organizations studied, followed by ISO 14001 adopted by 30 % of the organizations and ISO 45001 adopted by 15 % of the organizations. Based on the conclusions of this work, there is an opportunity to create specific policy around Quality Models for this industry that will support the creation of new standards and the improvement of existing ones. This paper can serve as a starting point for analyzing the scenario in other regions within a framework of similar geographical characteristics.

Remote sensing traffic scene retrieval based on learning control algorithm for robot multimodal sensing information fusion and human-machine interaction and collaboration.

In light of advancing socio-economic development and urban infrastructure, urban traffic congestion and accidents have become pressing issues. High-resolution remote sensing images are crucial for supporting urban geographic information systems (GIS), road planning, and vehicle navigation. Additionally, the emergence of robotics presents new possibilities for traffic management and road safety. This study introduces an innovative approach that combines attention mechanisms and robotic multimodal information fusion for retrieving traffic scenes from remote sensing images. Attention mechanisms focus on specific road and traffic features, reducing computation and enhancing detail capture. Graph neural algorithms improve scene retrieval accuracy. To achieve efficient traffic scene retrieval, a robot equipped with advanced sensing technology autonomously navigates urban environments, capturing high-accuracy, wide-coverage images. This facilitates comprehensive traffic databases and real-time traffic information retrieval for precise traffic management. Extensive experiments on large-scale remote sensing datasets demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of this approach. The integration of attention mechanisms, graph neural algorithms, and robotic multimodal information fusion enhances traffic scene retrieval, promising improved information extraction accuracy for more effective traffic management, road safety, and intelligent transportation systems. In conclusion, this interdisciplinary approach, combining attention mechanisms, graph neural algorithms, and robotic technology, represents significant progress in traffic scene retrieval from remote sensing images, with potential applications in traffic management, road safety, and urban planning.

A Comprehensive Review of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fibers for Applications Based on Their Different Preparation Techniques

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber is widely recognized for its exceptional properties, including high strength-to-weight ratio, toughness, and chemical resistance, making it a preferred material for reinforcement in various applications. However, its low melting point, surface inertness, and weak adhesion to polymer matrices have limited its potential use in some fields. Researchers have addressed these shortcomings by focusing on surface modifications through physical treatment or chemical coating, thereby enhancing the versatility of materials in numerous UHMWPE fiber composites. By improving the tribological and interfacial properties of UHMWPE, various applications can be explored, including prosthetic joints, energy-absorbing road safety systems, microelectromechanical system devices, and protective materials for defense and personal thermal management. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the remarkable performance of UHMWPE and its composites, providing insights into its wide array of applications.

Intelligent road safety system based on multi-function warning device

This paper proposes a road driving warning device, including support rods and warning plates. Several display screens are installed on one side of the warning panel. Indication light balls are set on the display screen. Warning board top fixed connection with top box. Several radar detectors are mounted on one side of the roof box. Several radar detectors correspond to several display screens. Several warning lights are installed on the top of the top box. Several warning lights correspond to several radar detectors. The sliding side of the support rod cleans the unit. Control of the position change of several indicator light balls on the corresponding display screen by several radar detectors, so that the driver can get the specific driving situation of the road section by observing several display screens and indicating the light ball. Preparation for lane change overtaking, grasp the location information and speed of all vehicles in this section in advance.

Star rating of driver’s behavior as a tool to prevent risky behavior

Driver behavior is a key determinant of road safety. Risky behaviors can be measured and quantified using traditional and modern methods, which enables the assessment of the driver’s behavior. Following lessons from safety science, it is important to analyse and manage risks factors to optimize interventions in the transport context at the territory. The main objective of the paper is to explore the star rating of the driver’s behavior to provide credible road safety monitoring and identification of the factors that most contribute to risky driving behaviors. The Data Envelopment Analysis method for selection of most significant factors is used for star rating of driver’s behavior. The subject of the analysis encompasses 18 factors for 27 police administration units (PAUs) in the Republic of Serbia. The results are analysed regarding the following aspects: 1) star rating of driver’s behavior and 2) defining the stages of the periodic factors monitoring for each PAU analysed. Using a mobile phone while driving, not using child restraints system, alcohol drunk driving during the night and seat belt use at rear seats of passenger vehicles were identified as the most significant factors associated with risky driving behaviors. Monitoring a broader set of factors helps to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a territory’s road safety system. Star rating of driver’s behavior as a tool intended for decision-makers ensures monitoring, management, the exchange of evidence-based and customized best practices and defining earlier goal-oriented actions to manage driver’s behavior and to prevent risky driving.

Philosophy and Meanings of the Information Entropy Analysis of Road Safety: Case Study of Russian Cities

This article is devoted to the study of the entropic orderliness of road safety systems of various dimensionalities. The author’s methodology for quantitative assessment of the quality of the road safety systems is based on the use of information entropy analysis, the essence of which is to assess the significance (or “weights”) of various information-technological stages of the road traffic accident rate formation process. The main emphasis in this paper is on the philosophical interpretation of the results of entropic evaluation of the orderliness of urban road safety systems. The article aimed to philosophically understand the reasons for the diversity in the results of assessing the entropy of road safety (RS) in Russian cities. Within the framework of this goal, the results of the analysis of the state of the issue, ideological approaches and methods for assessing the relative entropy of urban road safety systems were presented. The study was based on analyzing statistics that characterize the processes of the formation of road traffic accidents in Russian cities classified into three groups based on population size. The experimental results obtained were explained from the point of view of human psychology. Rather, results were explained from the perspective of human psychology. The final results of the study once again illustrated the objectivity of Hegel’s dialectical laws and, perhaps, once again shattered illusions about the possibility of achieving high levels of road safety in cities by building rigid systems to regulate the actions of traffic participants. In the author’s opinion, the results of the presented philosophical analysis will be useful to managers specializing in the management of complex systems (not only transport but also other fields) to comprehend the contradictions of the complex nature of humans and the paradoxes of their behavior when their freedom of action is restricted through external control.

Assessment of the Impact of Selected Parameters of Tractor-Semitrailer Set on the Braking Safety Indicators

With the continuous development of road transport of goods, the issue of safety risks related to the movement of trucks and road trains remains an essential element of the overall road safety system. One of the persistent problems is the braking of such kits, especially in emergencies on the road. The work aims to show how typical changes in operating conditions can affect the basic indicators illustrating the safety of braking (effectiveness indicators, stability symptoms). A simulation method was applied for the analysis, which used a relatively simple (quasi-static) model of the tractor-semitrailer set’s rectilinear motion and models of the braking system and the longitudinal forces in the tyre-road surface contact. Calculations were made for the selected truck-trailer set in nominal condition and for several deviations from the nominal state, such as loading the trailer (load value, location of the semi-trailer’s centre of gravity), reduced surface adhesion, and selected faults of the semitrailer braking system. The results were compared for several qualitative and quantitative criteria for the evaluation of braking safety. Attention was drawn to the problem of the forces in the coupling (which determine the possibility of jack-knifing phenomena), the order of axle locking, and the braking distance. The presented results show that the change of operating conditions as above compared to the nominal condition visibly deteriorates the effectiveness of the braking process. The greatest threat, both related to the braking efficiency and the increase in the force in the coupling, is associated with the lack of braking of the semitrailer axle or a significant reduction in its load. The weight and location of the load’s centre of gravity considerably impact braking safety. In addition to the negative impact on the braking distance or increase in the horizontal force in the coupling, it changes the order of locking the axle. ABS reduces the risk associated with braking safety but does not eliminate it. At the same time, it has been shown that using relatively simple calculation tools makes it possible to indicate the risks related to the braking safety of such articulated vehicles.

REVIEW OF MODIFYING THE INDICATORS OF ROAD SAFETY SYSTEM

The new vision of road safety issue is based on a systematic approach called a “safe system’. This approach has been applied recently in some developed countries and resulted in a significant reduction in road fatalities. Alternatively, it is necessary to develop an index to use not only in assessing the size of the road safety problem but also to monitor the intermediate outcome of its operational performance. This paper aims to review the modified indicators of the operational performance of road safety systems based on the fundamentals of the ‘safe system’ vision. A methodology is presented to choose comprehensive, measurable, and independent indicators, which are relevant to the new vision and can be used to predict the conditions of the problem and enable actions to be taken to prevent road crashes from happening. In this methodology, the main indicators of road safety are classified into thematic indicators and individual indicators. These indicators are subjected to evaluation according to measurability, comprehensiveness, and availability of data. The final set of indicators is grouped into three thematic groups; safer road mobility, safer road user behavior, and safer vehicle. Based on the evaluation of the suggested indicators, it is concluded that the iRAP star rating is the most comprehensive, measurable, and dependent indicator to reflect the safer mobility indicator. Speeding, using a protective system, consuming psychoactive substances, and using a mobile phone while driving are chosen as safer road user behavior indicators. The EuroNCAP is chosen as the safer vehicle indicator.

Information and Entropy Aspects of the Specifics of Regional Road Traffic Accident Rate in Russia

The aim of this research is to study the specifics of the road accident rate formation processes in regions of the Russian Federation (2021) using information-entropic analysis. The typical research approaches (correlation-regression, factorial analyses, simulation modelling, etc.) do not always allow us to identify its specificity. It is impossible to evaluate the quality of the researched process’s structure using these methods. However, this knowledge is required to understand the distinctions between high-quality road safety management and its opposite. In order to achieve the goal of the research methodology based on the use of the classical approaches of C. Shannon, the quantitative value of information entropy H was elaborated. The key components of this method are the modelling of the cause-and-effect chain of road accident rate formation and the consideration of the relative significances of individual blocks of the process in achieving the final result. During the research the required statistical data were collected and the structure of the road accident rate formation process in 82 regions of the Russian Federation in the format “Population P—Fleet of vehicles NVh—Road Traffic Accidents NRA—RTA Victims NV—Fatality Cases ND” was analyzed. The fact that the structure of the road accident rate formation process is extremely specific in different Russian regions was shown. Exactly this specificity forms the degree of ambiguity in the state of Russian regional road safety provision systems in terms of the probability of death in road accidents. The main conclusion of this research is that information-entropic analysis can be successfully used to assess the structural quality of road safety systems.