A Multidimensional Perceptual Study of Road Safety

Previous road safety research has focused on aggregate physical road characteristics and the socioenvironment of drivers. The research reported here analyzed individual perceptual data obtained in an experimental setting. Wide angle movies were taken of 12 road segments and shown to panels of licensed drivers. Three panels were utilized: (1) ordinary drivers, (2) students enrolled in a traffic engineering course, and (3) experts in traffic safety. Individual panel members rated each of the 12 segments on several characteristics thought to be related to traffic accidents. These evaluations were compared to actual accident data for the road segments using regression and scaling. Individual differences scaling models indicated that both lexicographic and compensatory models could be used to represent perceptual differences.