PURPOSES : This study aims to conduct a sensitivity analysis to determine the major factors affecting traffic accidents involving elderly pedestrians.
METHODS : In this study, a regression tree model was built based on a non-parametric statistical model using data on traffic accidents involving elderly pedestrians. Using this model, we analyzed the degree of change in the probability of pedestrian fatalities.
RESULTS : Results of the model analysis show that the first major factor combination affecting traffic accidents involving elderly pedestrians is speeding, night time, and road markers. The second combination is night time and arterial roads (national and local highways). The last combination that may lead to such accidents is heavy vehicles and federally funded local highways.
CONCLUSIONS : Preventive measures, such as speed control, proper lighting, median strips, designation of pedestrian protection zones, and guidance of detours, are necessary to manage high-risk combinations causing accidents of the elderly.
PURPOSES : The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of the level of the light-environment and the driver's visual ability on the change in the driver's perception of a forward curved section at night. The study also aims to identify factors that should be considered to ensure safety while entering curved sections of a road at night.
METHODS : Data collected from a virtual driving experiment, conducted by the Korean Institute of Construction Technology (2017), were used. Logistic regression was applied to analyze the effects of changes in the light-environment factors (road surface luminance and glare) and the driver’s visual ability on a driver's perception of the road. Additionally, analysis of the moderated effect of visual ability on light-environment factors indicated that the difference in drivers’ visual abilities impact the influence of light-environment factors on their perception. A driver's ability to perceive, as a response variable, was categorized into 'failure' and 'success' by comparing the perceived distance and minimum reaction sight distance. Covariates were also defined. Road surface luminance levels were categorized into 'unlit road surface luminance' (luminance ≤ 0.1 nt) and 'lit road surface luminance' (luminance > 0.1 nt), based on 0.1 nt, which is the typical level observed on unlit roads. The glare level was categorized as 'with glare' and 'without glare' based on whether the glare was from a high-beam caused by an oncoming vehicle or not. The driver's visual ability level was categorized into 'low visual ability' (age ≥ 50) and 'high visual ability' (age ≤ 49), considering that after the age of 50, the drive’s visual ability sharply declines.
RESULTS : The level of road surface luminance, glare, and driver's visual ability were analyzed to be significant factors that impact the driver's ability to perceive curved road sections at night. A driver's perception was found to reduce when the road surface luminance is very low, owing to the lack of road lighting ('unlit road luminance'), when glare is caused by oncoming vehicles ('with glare'), and if the driver's visual ability level is low owing to an older age ('low visual ability'). The driver's ability to perceive a curved section is most affected by the road surface luminance level. The effect is reduced in the order of glare occurrence and the driver's visual ability level. The visual ability was analyzed as a factor that impacts the intensity of the effect of change of the light-environment on the change of the driver's ability to perceive the road. The ability to perceive a curved section deteriorates significantly in 'low visual ability' drivers, aged 50 and above, compared to drivers with 'high visual ability,' under the age of 49, when the light-environment conditions are adverse with regard to the driver’s perception (road surface luminance: 'lit road surface luminance'→'unlit road surface luminance,' glare: 'without glare'→'with glare').
CONCLUSIONS : Supplementation, in terms of road lighting standards that can lead to improvements in the level of light-environment, should be considered first, rather than the implementation of restrictions on the right of movement, such as restricting the passage of low visual ability or aging drivers who are disadvantageous in terms of gaining good perception of the road at night. When establishing alternatives so that safety on roads at night is improved, it is necessary to consider improving drivers' perception by expanding road lighting installation. The road lighting criteria should be modified such that the glare caused by oncoming traffic, which is an influential factor in the linear change in perception, and the level of light-environment thereof are improved.
PURPOSES :This study proposes standards for rural access road pavement section and thickness design considering existing access road construction conditions; the study also proposes a complementary policy that can be used for design convenience.METHODS:Various literature review and case studies had been performed in terms of rural access road section and thickness design, both domestically and internationally, and this was followed by domestic rural access road field surveys. KPRP and KENLAYER were used to analyze the commonalities and predict the remaining life. Data on real cost is used to select an appropriate construction method through economic analysis.RESULTS:The economic efficiency of concrete pavement (15×15) was the highest in terms of economic efficiency of performance life and traffic volume. In the case of asphalt pavement, it is considered that the most economical method is to implement micro-surfacing method four times as a preventive maintenance method (once every 10 years and 4.5 years for asphalt concrete pavement and MS construction method, respectively). Repairable asphalt pavement is advantageous for areas where heavy vehicles are expected to pass. In the case of other general areas, it is considered economical to place concrete (15×15) pavement. However, as analytical results on its performance life are unavailable, it is to be considered for study in the future.CONCLUSIONS :This study proposed interim design guidelines based on various domestic and international design guidelines and case studies. However, in order to develop the final design criteria applicable to the field, it is necessary to (a) estimate the bearing capacity of the lower level of the pavement at various sites, (b) estimate the daily traffic volume, (c) implement advanced low-cost pavement technologies, and (d) propose maintenance standards and techniques for long-term performance.
PURPOSES: This study was done to model the headway distribution of rural two lane roads. METHODS: Time headway data for the various level of traffic volumes was measured in twelve sites. Based on the time headway data, existing seven mathematical models were evaluated and selected by comparing graphically the measured and theoretical distributions and conducting the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The results show that both the Schul model and Composite Model were the most appropriate models of the models. Based on the measured time-headway distributions, this study proposed a new headway distribution model by the shift of the Schul model. CONCLUSIONS : The shifted Schul model has the ability to describe time headway distirbutons for random, intermediate, and constantheadway states.
PURPOSES: The purpose of this paper is to estimate expected effects on traffic operational and economic aspects of 2+1 roads application in Korea. METHODS : Micro simulation study using VISSIM 5.0 was used to analyze the operation efficiency of 2+1 roads compared to two-lane highways and four-lane highways. Some scenarios for various traffic volumes were set up in order to analyze the effect of 2+1 roads under various traffic situations. Also imaginary road networks were set up for each type of roads. The MOEs to measure the operation efficiency were selected with average travel speed and delay. For analyzing economic effect of 2+1 roads, construction cost of a specific imaginary 2+1 road was compared to construction cost of a four-lane highway with same conditions. RESULTS: The results of study show that a 2+1 road is more effective with 19 percents higher average travel speed and 39 percents lower average delay than a two-lane highway. In the economic analysis, construction costs to construct a 2+1 road are saved as approximately 26.4~40.7 percents when compared to construction of four-lane highway. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that 2+1 roads can improve the traffic operational level of service for two-lane highways and 2+1 roads can be applied as an effective design alternative for higher-volume two-lane highways in Korea.
현 도로설계기준은 설계속도에 기반하여 선형설계에 관한 지침을 제시하고 있으며, 이는 설계속도가 도로 공용 후에 운전자의 주행 속도와 거의 동일할 것임을 전제하고 있다. 도로 평면 곡선부의 설계도 주어진 설계속도에 따라 운전자가 쾌적성을 유지한 채 통과할 수 있는 최소곡선반경을 기준으로 제시하고 있다. 그러나 쾌적성에 기초한 횡방향 미끄럼마찰계수는 실제 습윤노면에서 관측되는 물리적인 횡방향 미끄럼마찰계수보다 낮기 때문에 기준에 제시된 곡선반경은 최소의 의미보다는 권장 값으로 보는 것이 합리적이다. 아울러, 최소곡선반경보다 여유로운 설계 값을 선호하는 실무관행으로 도로 공용 후 운전자의 주행속도는 설계속도를 상회하여 설계속도가 주행속도를 대표하지 못하는 결과를 초래하고, 결과적으로 현 설계기준의 주요전제를 위반하게 될 것으로 본다. 이러한 연구 가정을 검토하기 위해 지방부 도로에서 노면 미끄럼 마찰계수와 운전자의 주행속도를 조사하였다. 연구결과로, 쾌적성에 기반한 미끄럼 마찰계수와 물리적인 미끄럼마찰계수와의 차이에 따른 안전여유를 정량적으로 제시했고, 안전여유 및 설계관행에 따른 여유로운 설계로 인해 설계속도와 주행속도 간에 괴리가 발생함을 제시했다. 이를 토대로, 현 설계속도 기반의 선형설계는 최소기준과 더불어 설계속도와 주행속도 사이의 괴리를 최소화할 수 있는 선형 설계 관리 방안이 마련될 필요가 있다.
This study aimed to draw the plan elements and characteristics that should be considered in case when developing guidelines to build up roads in rural villages. Drawing the construction elements necessary for building up roads through the advanced researches, the survey was conducted for relevant experts in order to evaluate the importance of each plan element of route plan, design & construction and operation & management. The result determined total 105 contents that should be considered in case when building up roads in rural villages. The study on building up roads in rural villages as a strategy to vitalize rural areas means universal roads that connect each village with rural amenities in various values like walking tour road, visit roads and observation roads. It is considered that the development of guidelines for building up roads in rural villages could be used as a basic data to build up roads where nature, culture and history of rural areas can be effectively experienced and enjoyed.
This study was carried out to analyze the disparities of basic living infrastructure between Guns(rural counties), and between Eups/Myuns(rural districts) in Jeollanam-do province. For the purpose of this study, dimensions of regional disparity in basic living structure were measured by 3 components ; road, public water service and sewage disposal. By utilizing the published statistics, this study has examined 8 Guns(counties) containing Eup and Myon in Jeollanam-do province which can represent 4 different rural areal types, respectively, i,e. mountainous, semi-mountainous, flat and seashore areas. The data acquisition time of this study is fixed on end of 2009 year in order for possible collections of the most recent published statistics. It presents evidence on the magnitude and evolution of discussion of regional disparities between Guns(counties), and between Eup & Myon, and between Myons in Jeollanam-do province even though infrastructure provision level of Jeollanam-do rural areas are much more improved than the past. Concludingly, the existing disparities in this area is meaningful and so, it should be seriously reconsidered when deciding local government's budget allocation priority.
Although there have been carrying out various rural development projects related with village road improvement, most of village roads in Korea are under much poor condition. However, until now, their actual conditions have not been surveyed at all. So, this study aimed at analysing the actual conditions and characteristics of rural village roads in the general terms to provide the basic information for the proper improvement policy-making. Case study villages were chosen in flat/mountainous/seashore<SUB>urban areas, which be then classified as improved and not. In terms of road length per household, mountainous villages are highly dispersed and suburban ones moderately dispersed, while flat ones aggregated. Road widths in seashore</SUB>suburban/structure improved villages are narrower than flat/mountainous ones. Because about a quarter of road sites are registered as non-road, more positive scheme for transferring non-road sites into road ones.
This study was carried out to propose some useful advices for the improvement policy of the minor rural roads. For the detailed case studies on structural improvement level of the minor rural roads, 5 county areas in Chonnam Province were selected ; Damyang (peri-urban), Gurye(remoter mountainous), Jindo(remotest island), Yuongam(intermediate flat) and Bosung (intermediate semi-mountainous). In each county, the official survey data on pavement types, widths and ratios of district(Myun in Korean) and parish(Ri in Korean) roads were collected. There were no apparent differences between district and parish roads in terms of structural improvement level, while the former was ranked higher than the latter in the minor rural road improvement law, so, the present hierarchial classification system of rural roads should be readjusted. And above a third of minor rural roads in the case study areas did not meet the statutory minimum level of road width, which means the necessity of substantial upgrade of road improvement works in rural areas.