Safe System Approach Eric Howard. The Safe System Approach Recognizes limits of the human body Systematic approach brings benefits Recognizes that crashes.

Safe System Approach

Eric Howard

The Safe System Approach

• Recognizes limits of the human body• Systematic approach brings benefits• Recognizes that crashes are going to happen (even with

focus on prevention)• Aims to minimize severity of injury• People should not die because of system failings• Those responsible for components of the road transport

system are accountable for the safety of the system

Safe System – Human Tolerances to Physical Forces – Vehicle

impact speeds - Fatality thresholds• <40 km/h - pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists• <50km/h - vehicle occupants in side impact crashes with other

vehicles• <70-80 km/h - vehicle occupants in head on crashes• <30 km/h – vehicle occupants in side impact crashes with

poles and trees

Safe System

Safer speeds (lower speeds

more forgiving of

human errors)

Education and information

supporting road users

Human tolerance to

physical force

Alert and compliant road users

Safer roads and

roadsides (more

forgiving of human errors)

Safer Vehicles

Safer Travel

Understanding crashes and

risk

Legislation & Enforcement of

road rules

Admittance to the system

Safe System Elements

Better Understanding Crashes

and Risks• Crash reviews

– Initial inspection and audit– At the local level, reporting to local regional panels– Central panel review of categories of crashes &

common themes

• Stakeholder involvement• Intensive crash data analysis• Improved understanding of road user safety

issues

Safe System Elements

Legislation • Understanding current crash related behaviors - critical in developing

responsive legislation • Role of local and international research is vital

Enforcement• Public perception is critical to deterrence • General deterrence to promote fear of detection

– Police presence – marked & unmarked cars– Technology (safety cameras) “anywhere & anytime”

• Specific deterrence to target high risk behaviours• Supported by publicity

Safe System Elements

• Inexperienced drivers– Graduated licensing opportunities

• Physically/mentally impaired drivers– Effective assessment processes– Restricted licence options– Alternative transport options

Admittance to the system – Licensing

Safe System Elements

Education & Information for road users – Cultural Change

• Understanding barriers to new countermeasure implementation

• Mass Media advertising for specific campaigns – alcohol/speed/drugs

• Specific information eg. brochures included with vehicle registration renewals

• Local government communications and publicity + community group involvement

Safe System – Core Elements

• Safer Roads & Roadsides• Safer Vehicles• Safer Travel Speeds

Vehicle Safety

• Improve vehicle safety standards to maximise crash protection– Side/curtain airbags– Electronic Stability Program (ESP) to keep vehicle

straight into object (not side swipe)– Whiplash protection

Why It Matters - The Effects of Speed Limit Changes on Casualty Crashes – Victoria 1989/1990

LocationBefore 110 v During 110 –Comparison %

Change

During 110 v After 110 –Comparison %

Change

Total Victoria +24.6 -19.3

Rural +14.8 -16.8

Urban +48.9 -11.7

Victoria - High Severity Crashes

+21.5 -18.2

Sliogeris, 1992

Urban & Rural Freeways. Limit increased from 100 to 110km/h and reversed after 27 months

Major crash types (fatal & serious) – Edmonton/ Alberta ?

• Run-off-road (80 km/h plus zones)• Intersection – side impacts with other vehicles

(50,60,70 km/h zones, urban areas)• Head on (80 km/h plus zones)• Pedestrians - (50 & 60 km/h zones, urban areas)

Run-off-Road Hit Fixed Object Crashes (Rural & Urban fringe)

• Alberta– ?% of Fatal Crashes– ?% of Serious Injury Crashes

Safer Roads/Roadsides and Safer Vehicles in a Safe System framework

Scenario A – (Run off Road crashes)•Unsealed Shoulders•Unprotected roadside obstacles

Vehicle•Skids & impacts side - on into tree

Likely Outcome•Fatalities for vehicle occupants

Safer Roads/Roadsides and Safer Vehicles in a ‘Safe System’ framework

Scenario A – (Run off Road crashes) Road & Roadside

•Sealed Shoulders•Barriers/hazard removal•Tactile Line edging

Vehicle•Electronic Stability Program; less

likely to slide sideways under braking.

Likely Outcome•Minor injuries when impacting barrier

Countermeasures – Run-off-road

• Remove obstacles from ‘clear zones’ or protect with barriers on high volume roads

• Benefits in sealing shoulders to avoid loss of control

• Improve warning signs on curves• Reduce speed limits on winding

routes

• Wire Rope Barriers• Shoulder Sealing• Tactile Edge Lining• Improved Delineation• Tree Removal• Tactile Centre Lines

Summary: Countermeasures - Road and Roadside Treatments

Side Impact (intersection) crashes

• ? % of Urban Fatal Crashes• ? % of Rural Fatal Crashes• ? % of Urban Serious Injury Crashes• ? % of Rural Serious Injury Crashes

Safer Vehicles & Safe Speed at Intersections in a Safe System Framework

Scenario A – (Intersection crash)–Travel speed/speed limit 60 km/h–Side impact protection levels low–Airbags

• Driver only in 1 & 2

–Driver & passenger in each vehicle

Likely Outcome:–Fatality in 2 (driver)–Fatality /serious injury in 1(passenger)

Vehicle 2Vehicle 1

Safer Vehicles & Safe Speed at intersections in a ‘Safe System’ Framework

Scenario B – (Intersection

crash)–Travel speed/speed limit 50

km/h–Side impact protection levels high–Airbags

• Side Curtain in 2• Driver & passenger in 1 & 2

–Driver and passenger in each

vehicle

Likely Outcome:–Serious Injury in 2 (driver)

Vehicle 2

Safer Roads & Roadsides:Intersection (side impact between vehicles) crashes

• Identify higher crash rate intersections for serious casualty crashes – overall network in urban areas

• Select countermeasures– Roundabouts– Signals & upgrades– Higher friction surfacing– Turn signals– Other treatments

• Funding– Seek an ongoing specific program – own funds or

insurers?

• Improving skid resistance on approaches to intersections

• Infrastructure treatments– Turn signals– Signals– Roundabouts– Channellisation– Turn lanes

• Speed Limits

Summary: Infrastructure countermeasures - Urban Intersections

Intersection crashes – Role of vehicle safety & travel speed

• Increase provision of head protecting curtain airbags in fleet

• Increase provision of whiplash protection in seating

• Lower travel speeds– Enforcement measures– Speed limits (review in higher risk locations)

Safe Roads/Roadsides and Safer Vehicles in a Safe System framework

- Addressing head – on crashes

Scenario A – (Head-on crash)– Travel Speed 100km/h (limit 90)– Airbags

• Driver only in vehicle 1

– Driver & Passenger in each vehicle

• Likely Outcome– 3 fatalities (+ likely fatality/serious

injury in vehicle 1)

Safe Roads/Roadsides and Safer Vehicles in a Safe System Framework

- Addressing head – on crashesScenario B – (Head-on crash)

– Travel Speed 100km/h (limit 90)– Airbags

• Driver & Passenger in 1 & 2

– Driver & Passenger in each vehicle– Infrastructure

• Duplication or• Wire Rope Barriers (2 + 1)

– Best Likely Outcome• Minor injuries in 1

Safe Speed/Safer Vehicles – addressing pedestrian crashes in a

‘Safe System’ frameworkScenario A – Pedestrian crash• Speed Zone 50 km/h• SUV

– Pedestrian struck at 45 km/h

Outcome• Fatality

Scenario B – Pedestrian crash• Speed Zone 40 km/h

– Pedestrian struck at 35 km/h– Pedestrian friendly vehicle

Likely Outcome• Serious Injury

Countermeasures – pedestrian crashes

• Lower Speeds where pedestrians interact with traffic

• Physically separate pedestrians from vehicles

Safer Speeds

Speed Limits– School & construction speed zones– Variable limits in higher pedestrian

risk areas– Arterial road limits in Edmonton– Rural road limits– Fact sheets/information

Safer Vehicles

Inform the community why vehicle safety matters Building consumer demand for safety Fleet operator commitment Influencing vehicle makers Improve maintenance of safety features Eliminating inappropriate vehicle advertising

Summary

• Alberta & the City of Edmonton will reduce its road toll through an evidence driven partnership approach.

• Further gains will be made through a Safe System focus on improved road infrastructure, safer vehicles, application of safe speed limits and continued efforts to convince road users to accept and comply with road laws.

Road Safety & Levels of Intervention

Addressing prevailing attitudes, culture and reinforcing influences

System Wide Thinking

Coordinated Efforts

Various Risks and Countermeasures

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Safe System Approach

Eric Howard