Topics

The Safe System approach, also referred to as Vision Zero, recognises that road transport is a complex system where road users, vehicles and infrastructure must interact to achieve a high level of safety. To achieve continuous progress in road safety through the application of the Safe System approach, relevant actions triggered by well-organized strategic safety plans are crucial, but these plans also require recognition of the complexity and multiplicity of crash causations, which underpin a holistic approach to road safety management. This topic focuses on the safe-system approach, road safety plans, policies and strategies, safety performance indicators, and speed management.

To be able to tackle the problem, one needs to know the problem. This topic covers crash analysis of injured and killed road users, research on factors affecting safety performance), innovative methodologies for traffic safety analysis and simulation applied to safety. Papers covering methodological issues, results and theoretical discussions are welcome.

To achieve sustainability in global safety, health and environment, a shift from car traffic towards walking, cycling and public transport is needed. Many countries are experiencing a decrease in fatalities among vehicle occupants, but not among vulnerable road users (VRU) where the situation is not improving or may even be negative. This topic also includes aspects related to achieving a safe system for Powered Two Wheelers (PTWs). Papers covering (not limited to) measures to increase safety, comfort and security for VRU (including PTWs and e-scooters), ITS for VRU, Vulnerable Road Users with special needs. Measures to encourage safe walking and cycling are also welcome.

Vehicle safety technology has proven to be effective both in preventing crashes and in saving lives when crashes happen. As automated vehicles continue to be developed and tested, the safety impacts (automated and human driven) of In-vehicle safety systems require more investigation to make sure they achieve their desired goals. The driver adaptation to these elements and the safety challenges associated with automated driving requires further research. This may include the safety impacts of V2V and V2I applications. The development of sensors to address safety issues also falls in this topic as well as the introduction of digital speed maps allowing speed adaptation to local conditions (i.e. geofencing) and the use of vehicle restrictions.

Road design is critical in a safe system approach and perhaps the most powerful means for achieving a high level of safety. Infrastructure design needs to accommodate the special needs of all road users and especially vulnerable road users. This topic comprises research on innovative aspects related to design and evaluation of physical and operational characteristics of road infrastructure elements with a focus on ensuring safety for all road users. Crash modification factors for geometric and roadway safety elements fall under this topic as well as turning movement restrictions, and other signing and marking and laws to manage traffic for the purpose of improving safety. But it also includes the need to adapt infrastructure to support the implementation of (for example) automated vehicles.

Short term driver impairments caused by alcohol, illicit/licit drugs, fatigue, sleepiness, stress, and inattention represent major crash contributors. Measuring these impacts and investigating effective countermeasures remains difficult. Similarly, permanent changes in road user capabilities through age and disabilities can be important for safety and potentially increase the crash severity for these users.

Improvements in the state-of-the-art regarding the understanding of psychological issues related to road user behaviour is a key factor to enhance road safety performance. This topic welcomes papers focused on the behavioural aspects of main road users affecting safety, such as: perception and reaction time, driver´s awareness and motivation, risk perception, visual search, speed perception, car-following and gap acceptance process, among others.

Safety investments/improvements may not be made equitably. All socioeconomic groups may not experience transportation safe/vulnerable in the same way due to differences in risk, behaviors (of others), and exposure. Equity in traffic safety may also consider disparities across road user types like drivers and VRUs, or gender differences.

To submit a proposal for a special Session at RS5C mean that the person or organisation applying for a special session proposes to arrange a full session which usually is about 90 minutes. This could include presentations focusing on a specific theme, a workshop or other forms of presentation that is not usually included in a conference. The content is prepared in discussion with the RS5C organising committee. Note that proposals that can be seen as marketing will be rejected.