Real-time safety assessments face unique challenges in developing economies due to the disordered and high heterogeneity in traffic. This study proposes a dynamic two-dimensional surrogate safety model, known as the Vehicle Safety Envelope (VSE), that represents the minimum space required around a vehicle for safe and comfortable manoeuvring in traffic. The VSE is mathematically modelled and calibrated using trajectory data collected from five signalized intersections in India. The proposed elliptical shape of the VSE was found to be analogous to the field observed safety space maintained by a vehicle from its neighbouring vehicles for safe and comfortable manoeuvres. Empirical results indicate that both lateral and longitudinal clearance thresholds, the key parameters defining the VSE, exhibit a positive linear dependency on vehicle type and speed. As speed increased from 5 to 65 km/h, the lateral clearance threshold increased from 0.2 m to 0.8 m for two-wheelers and from 0.6 m to 1.2 m for heavy commercial vehicles. Similarly, the average longitudinal clearance threshold increased from 1 m to 14 m. These thresholds closely matched safe stopping distances calculated from field data, validating the VSE's capability to capture unsafe vehicle proximities. Integrating VSE into advanced driver-assistance systems could enhance proactive safety decision-making. • Formulated Vehicle Safety Envelope (VSE): dynamic 2-dimensional safety indicator for identifying risky vehicle interactions. • VSE is the threshold minimum clearance required around a vehicle to traverse safely and comfortably. • VSE is elliptical in shape and is a function of relative position, speed and physical dimensions of the interacting vehicles. • Empirical results show VSE parameters exhibit a positive linear dependency on vehicle type and speed. • Clearance thresholds matched field-based safe stopping distances, validating VSE’s capture of unsafe vehicle proximity.

Females were granted the right to drive on public roads in Saudi Arabia (SA) in 2018. The country is undergoing significant policy transformation to promote inclusion, equity, and diversity. However, cultural perceptions and traditional misconceptions on female driving performance are still not fully addressed by scientific research. This driving simulator study involved a total of 100 participants, comprising 60 males and 40 females from Dammam, SA. It examines the influence of gender on crash frequency, violation patterns, and reaction times, while also assessing the impact of weather conditions. The findings indicate that male drivers exhibited slightly higher average crash frequency and loss of control incidents compared to female drivers, although females committed more stop-sign violations. Males also engaged in more aggressive maneuvers, such as sudden lane changes (0.70 vs. 0.28). Despite a longer average reaction time among female drivers (2.04 s vs. 1.80s, p = 0.032), gender was not a significant predictor of crash likelihood ( p = 0.337). Instead, weather conditions emerged as a key factor, with rainy conditions significantly increasing crash rates and loss of control incidents. While reaction time was associated with crash frequency, the study found no statistical evidence that gender independently influenced crash risk. These findings challenge traditional stereotypes regarding female driving performance in SA. Findings also show that female drivers are equally, if not more, capable than their male counterparts in many aspects of driving behavior. The research findings can serve as a reference to policymakers, traffic safety authorities, and licensing bodies toward promoting a gender-neutral approach in driver licensing and training programs. The results also support public awareness efforts aimed at reducing societal stigma by shifting the narrative from gender-based assumptions to evidence-based assessments of driving ability. • The driving behavior and performance of 100 male and female participants was studied using simulator. • Results show that male drivers are more likely to engage in riskier driving behaviors when compared to female drivers. • Female drivers showed slightly lower crash frequencies than male drivers, but this observed difference is not significant. • Poor weather significantly increased crash risk, confirming observations from previous studies. • Despite slower reactions, cautious driving of the female lowered their overall crash risk.

In this study, we employed the general formula of the delay per vehicle for the case of one link at two intersections as a function of the link length and offset of traffic signals at two adjacent intersections with the general value of green splits under arbitral demand condition without oversaturation. The highest and lowest coordination efficiencies are defined for different link lengths. The nature of the link lengths and offsets that provide minimum delay per vehicle were analyzed and demonstrated. Additionally, two types of extensions to this study were conducted by determining the effects of an additional intersection located in the middle of the target link and for the installation at two adjacent intersections outside the target link.

While current research extensively delves into the importance of driving skills and attitudes concerning traffic safety, a conspicuous gap remains in substantiating a meaningful correlation between self-reported driving skills and attitudes toward traffic safety. This underscores the need for more in-depth investigation and empirical evidence to better elucidate the nature of the relationship between self-perceived driving skills and attitudes in the context of traffic safety. This study investigates the relationship between drivers' skills and their attitudes toward traffic safety. Data from 664 drivers were collected through self-report questionnaires covering driving skills, attitudes, and demographic information. Factor analysis revealed three distinct factors for both driving skills (perceptual-motor skills, safety skills, and decisional skills) and driving attitudes (attitudes toward rule violations and speeding, attitudes toward careless driving of others, and attitudes toward drinking and driving). Structural equation models unveiled a significant connection between drivers' attitudes and safety skills, as well as decisional skills. Improved safety skills correlated with less favorable attitudes toward rule violations, speeding, careless driving of others, and drinking and driving. Similarly, enhanced decisional skills were associated with a rise in attitudes toward rule violations, speeding, and disregarding careless driving of others. Demographic analysis indicated an inverse correlation between age and attitude factors/decisional skills, coupled with a positive correlation with safety skills. Older individuals had less favorable attitudes toward rule violation, speeding, careless driving of others, the combination of drinking and driving, and their decisional skills were lower. Gender analysis revealed that men had a lower favorable viewpoint toward all three attitude dimensions and reported higher perceptual-motor and decisional skills compared to safety skills. The findings underscore the significance of safety and decisional skills in shaping attitudes toward traffic safety. Demographic factors, particularly age and gender, play a role in influencing these skills and attitudes, offering valuable insights for interventions and policy considerations.

BackgroundAs urban landscapes rapidly integrate e-scooters into their transportation ecosystems, understanding pedestrian-e-scooter interactions becomes paramount for safety and planning. This study investigates pedestrian discomfort levels and avoidance strategies when encountering an e-scooter approaching from the front. Methods25 participants were exposed to e-scooters approaching at three different speeds and lateral distances. Avoidance paths were plotted, and subjective discomfort levels were recorded and analysed. ResultsOur findings underscored two key behaviours: 1) As the speed of the e-scooter increased, participants initiated avoidance manoeuvres from a further distance ahead, suggesting a heightened perception of risk. 2) Regardless of the e-scooter's speed, the lateral distance maintained during passing remained fairly constant. However, when the e-scooter's initial lateral position was closer to participants, both the initiation distance for avoidance and the reported discomfort level increased noticeably. ConclusionThe findings underscore the critical influence of lateral distance and e-scooter speed on pedestrian comfort and avoidance behaviour. These insights can guide urban planners and policymakers in designing safer and more efficient shared spaces.