Ergonomic analysis of crossing collisions at intersections and prevention of recurrence - Driver centred redesign for road traffic safety system -

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Authors conducted a scientific investigation and proposed measures for crossing collisions, major pattern of traffic accidents in Japan. Driver centerd study revealed the whole process behind drivers reluctance of stopping at a stop-line when crossing a cross section in analysis of visual traffic environment and drivers behavior.1 Investigation conducted at 52 cross sections with no traffic signal in two community areas in Yokohama revealed all the vehicles in lower priority way performed slowdown to enter cross section, and few vehicle stopped at a stop line where view was obstructed by a blind area, entered to a spot where direct safety check available, and passed when no crossing car was approaching, while stopped when crossing car was approaching. Blind areas caused by electric pole, post box and sign board restrained driver behavior, and drivers adopted flexible safety strategy.2 Interview of two partners in a crossing collision of motor cycle and taxi-cab revealed a critical gap in their mental model triggered off a systematic study on assessment of the legibility of traffic convex mirrors and concluded a proposal to ergonomic requirements ensuring the legibility of traffic convex mirror installed at a cross section to supplement a bind area: (1) "Road lanes should be clearly displayed in the central area of a mirror", (2) "Any obstacles causing a blind area in the mirror image should be removed", (3)"Road surface marks should be explicitly displayed in the mirror image."3 The legibility of 110 traffic convex mirrors were measured in two community areas, and 67.76% of mirrors were assessed as danger, while 24.33% were as safe and 16.26% were as immediately improved. The legibility of mirror, especially a blind area in the mirror image was highly interrelated to the frequency of crossing collision. Improvement based on three ergonomic requirements will ensure drastic reduction of crossing collision.