BITS: A Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) supported approach to assess traffic safety for cyclists at intersections in the Netherlands

Abstract

Traffic safety is an important factor in the decision process whether people decide to use the bicycle or not. Critical situations that do not lead to an accident are often not reported to the police. To fill this knowledge gap, several regions as the city of Zwolle and the Province of Friesland (Netherlands) have started to detect near accidents at intersections among vehicles and bicycles by 3D camera data to evaluate traffic safety. Four intersections in Friesland and Zwolle were monitored. Different types of intersections (e.g. shared space concept) were considered. Near accidents can be divided into different conflict categories depending on vehicle speed and time to collision (Post-Encroachment Time PET). The preprocessed data including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to make cycling safety at the intersections measurable and comparable are provided. Based on the numbers and visualizations, it will be discussed which of the discussed intersections show critical profiles regarding numbers of near accidents, distribution and amount of very critical situations. With the results the intersections can be adjusted to increase traffic safety.Encroachment Time PET). The pre-processed data including relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to make cycling safety at the intersections measurable and comparable are provided. Based on the numbers and visualizations, it will be discussed which of the dis-cussed intersections show critical profiles regarding the total numbers of near accidents, its distribution and the amount of very critical situations. Based on the results the intersections can be adjusted to increase the safety situation in a city.