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Risk compensation--the case of road lighting
T Assum1, T Bjørnskau, S Fosser
1Institute of Transport Economics, Etterstad, Oslo, Norway. terje.assum@toi.no
Accident; Analysis and Prevention
|August 10, 1999
Summary
Drivers do change their behavior after road lighting installation, increasing speed and reducing concentration. This compensation may limit the accident-reducing potential of road lighting, contrary to previous assumptions.
Area of Science:
- Traffic Safety
- Human Factors in Transportation
- Road Engineering
Background:
- Road lighting is known to reduce road accidents.
- Previous studies suggested drivers do not alter behavior, such as speed, after road lighting installation.
- Existing research indicated average driving speeds remain unchanged with new road lighting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that drivers do not adjust their behavior when road lighting is installed.
- To investigate if drivers increase speed, reduce concentration, or travel more with road lighting.
- To re-evaluate the impact of road lighting on driver behavior and road safety.
Main Methods:
- Analyzing driver behavior changes in response to road lighting implementation.
- Measuring driving speeds and concentration levels before and after road lighting installation.
- Comparing observed driver compensation behaviors with previous research findings.
Main Results:
- The hypothesis was rejected as drivers were found to compensate for road lighting.
- Drivers demonstrated increased speeds and reduced concentration levels after road lighting was installed.
- Driver compensation varied among subgroups, with elderly drivers and women exhibiting different behavioral adjustments.
Conclusions:
- Driver compensation behavior, including increased speed and decreased concentration, negates some benefits of road lighting.
- Road lighting's accident-reducing effect could be enhanced if driver compensation could be mitigated.
- Previous findings of unchanged average speeds are likely due to counteracting effects from different driver subgroups.
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