170 | TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Two-in-one enforcement
A traffic enforcement system continues to adorn Berlin’s central square, improving traffic safety while combining red-light and speed-enforcement technology Words | Dorothea Janß, Vitronic, Germany
Image: Fotolia
Intersections within urban infrastructure are pivotal to ensuring safe and efficient traffic flow. They accommodate a number of vehicle types and pedestrians and, as a result, can be found in different designs, configurations and sizes. Wherever two or more roads meet, cross or converge in highly populated areas, the risk of accidents increases.
Intersections: points of conflict Crossing an intersection is one of the most complex traffic situations that road users encounter daily. Intersections constitute points of conflict in any roadway system, especially for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Crossing and turning maneuvers at intersections create opportunities for many conflicts between the different types of road users, which may result in traffic crashes. According to the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), 25% of traffic fatalities and roughly half of all traffic injuries
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in the USA are attributed to intersections. The same goes for Germany. Almost half of all accidents in urban areas, involving the death or injury of a road user, happen at intersections. Speeding and violating a red-light signal are two of the most dangerous driving habits in these busy areas. Thus, the issue of traffic safety at intersections is of great importance – especially against the background of the Vision Zero goal. Strategies to address intersection safety vary. Many of them are engineering- and infrastructure-based, and include geometric designs and the application of traffic control devices such as signs, markings and signals. Another approach is the use of speed and red-light enforcement. These are effective prevention tools that mitigate the risk of blackspots at intersections and ultimately protect lives.
Traffic metropolis Berlin Berlin is taking a pioneering role in terms of traffic safety concepts at intersections. The
efforts of the metropolis are necessary, because the city is growing rapidly; the number of road users is increasing and road traffic is becoming denser. While around 1,091,000 cars were registered in the capital in 2008, this year (2017) there have already been 1,195,000 registrations. The city of Berlin has also experienced a 2.5% increase in road traffic accidents from 2015 to 2016, with 141,155 road accidents recorded in the capital (in 2016). In addition, from 2015 to 2016, the number of deaths related to traffic accidents increased by 16.7%. According to a report from the Berlin police, mistakes made while turning, disregarding right of way rules and driving at inappropriate speed are the main causes of road incidents. At traffic intersections there are often red-light infringements. In 2015 the number of red-light offenses rose sharply, by 13% (52,352 offenses). To counteract this behavior, the city is intensifying traffic
