An analysis of road structure and traffic regulations at intersections with frequent accidents on residential streets

Abstract

Although the number of traffic fatalities in Japan reached a record low of 2,610 in 2022, it is necessary to continue efforts to reduce the number of traffic fatalities and the number of traffic accidents. This study identifies the characteristics of traffic accidents at intersections of residential streets by analyzing the relationship between the actual conditions of traffic accidents and factors related to the road structure and traffic regulations. This study found that some intersections have a high number of traffic accidents even when traffic volumes are relatively low. Intersections where a high number of accidents between automobiles and bicycles occur have the following four characteristics: (1) the road side margin distance is less than two meters, (2) the line of sight distance is less than two meters, (3) bicycles enter in the opposite direction of one-way traffic for automobiles, and (4) bicycles enter from the right side of the road.