Driver Compliance to Traffic Control Driver Compliance to Traffic Control Devices – A Study to Improve Traffic Devices – A Study to Improve Traffic

Safety in KuwaitSafety in Kuwait

Fahad Al-Rukaibi, Ph.D.Fahad Al-Rukaibi, Ph.D. Mohammed Ahmed Ali, Ph.D., P.E.Mohammed Ahmed Ali, Ph.D., P.E.

Ahmad Aljassar, Ph.D.Ahmad Aljassar, Ph.D.Lulwa Al-Abdulmuhsen, M.Sc.Lulwa Al-Abdulmuhsen, M.Sc.

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

• Kuwait - one of the highest accident Kuwait - one of the highest accident fatality rates in the world. fatality rates in the world.

• In 2006, >450 deaths were reported from In 2006, >450 deaths were reported from 60,000 traffic crashes; >2.75 million traffic 60,000 traffic crashes; >2.75 million traffic violations. violations.

• Analysis of traffic crashes in Kuwait Analysis of traffic crashes in Kuwait indicated driver error as the most indicated driver error as the most prominent cause. prominent cause.

• Growing concern over the seriousness of Growing concern over the seriousness of driver non-compliance with traffic control driver non-compliance with traffic control devices (TCDs) in Kuwait.devices (TCDs) in Kuwait.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVESRESEARCH OBJECTIVES

• To undertake an analysis of the To undertake an analysis of the traffic violations records collected traffic violations records collected from the Ministry of Interior (MOI) in from the Ministry of Interior (MOI) in Kuwait.Kuwait.

• To investigating the driver To investigating the driver compliance to stop-controlled compliance to stop-controlled intersections and roundabouts. intersections and roundabouts.

• To study driver behaviour with To study driver behaviour with regards to the TCDs.regards to the TCDs.

• To develop recommendations for To develop recommendations for TCD compliance.TCD compliance.

DATA AND METHODDATA AND METHOD• Traffic violations & accident statistics collected Traffic violations & accident statistics collected

from Ministry of Interior, Kuwait from Ministry of Interior, Kuwait

• TCD compliance surveys undertaken at signalized TCD compliance surveys undertaken at signalized intersections, roundabout intersections, 4-way intersections, roundabout intersections, 4-way stop control intersections and right-in/right-out stop control intersections and right-in/right-out stop control intersectionsstop control intersections

• A total of 10 stop controlled intersections and 10 A total of 10 stop controlled intersections and 10 roundabout intersections were sampled for direct roundabout intersections were sampled for direct observation/video surveys in different observation/video surveys in different Governorates in Kuwait. Governorates in Kuwait.

• Typical survey forms were developed based on Typical survey forms were developed based on the Manual of Transportation Studies. the Manual of Transportation Studies.

• Surveys were undertaken during the peak and Surveys were undertaken during the peak and non-peak periods. non-peak periods.

DATA AND METHODDATA AND METHOD

• Two types of data were collected in these Two types of data were collected in these surveyssurveys– Inventory and site description and compliance Inventory and site description and compliance

data. data. • For stop and roundabout junctions the For stop and roundabout junctions the

following four categories of driver action are following four categories of driver action are identified:identified:– Not stoppingNot stopping– Practically StoppedPractically Stopped– Stopped by traffic (forced stop) andStopped by traffic (forced stop) and– Voluntary full stopVoluntary full stop

• Categories 1 and 2 represent total and Categories 1 and 2 represent total and partial non-compliance while the categories partial non-compliance while the categories 3 and 4 represent compliance to the TCDs 3 and 4 represent compliance to the TCDs

DATA AND METHODDATA AND METHOD

• Driver behaviour questionnaire survey was Driver behaviour questionnaire survey was undertaken using a pre-tested undertaken using a pre-tested questionnaire. The following information questionnaire. The following information was included:was included:– Compliance with TCDs, traffic signs, road Compliance with TCDs, traffic signs, road

markings and posted speedsmarkings and posted speeds– Driver behaviour with regards to shoulder lane, Driver behaviour with regards to shoulder lane,

parking, yellow light and mobile phone useparking, yellow light and mobile phone use– Behaviour at stop signs, roundabout yield signBehaviour at stop signs, roundabout yield sign– Self reported violations and accidents, andSelf reported violations and accidents, and– Personal informationPersonal information

RESULTSRESULTS

• A total of 2.76 A total of 2.76 million violations million violations have occurred in have occurred in 2006. 2006.

• Over 800 Over 800 thousand over thousand over speed violations speed violations and 80 thousand and 80 thousand seat belt seat belt violations also violations also raise cause of raise cause of safety concern safety concern in Kuwait in Kuwait

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RESULTSRESULTS

• High proportion of drivers were found to be High proportion of drivers were found to be in violation of TCD compliance in all types of in violation of TCD compliance in all types of intersections. intersections.

• 25% of the drivers did not stop at-all the 25% of the drivers did not stop at-all the right-in /right-out intersections during the right-in /right-out intersections during the morning peak and 21.4% in the afternoon morning peak and 21.4% in the afternoon peak. peak.

• The non-compliance was higher during the The non-compliance was higher during the non-peak period with over 40% of the drivers non-peak period with over 40% of the drivers not stopping before entering the main road. not stopping before entering the main road.

• Full compliance at these intersections was Full compliance at these intersections was found to be very low (5-10%). found to be very low (5-10%).

RESULTSRESULTS

• High proportion of drivers were found to be High proportion of drivers were found to be in violation of TCD compliance in all types of in violation of TCD compliance in all types of intersections. intersections.

• 25% of the drivers did not stop at-all the 25% of the drivers did not stop at-all the right-in /right-out intersections during the right-in /right-out intersections during the morning peak and 21.4% in the afternoon morning peak and 21.4% in the afternoon peak. peak.

• The non-compliance was higher during the The non-compliance was higher during the non-peak period with over 40% of the drivers non-peak period with over 40% of the drivers not stopping before entering the main road. not stopping before entering the main road.

• Full compliance at these intersections was Full compliance at these intersections was found to be very low (5-10%). found to be very low (5-10%).

RESULTSRESULTS

• Very high degree of non-compliance was observed Very high degree of non-compliance was observed at the 4-way stop controlled intersectionsat the 4-way stop controlled intersections

• These intersections are usually located on local These intersections are usually located on local streets within the residential neighborhoods, streets within the residential neighborhoods, commercial or industrial areascommercial or industrial areas

• Significantly higher proportion of drivers not Significantly higher proportion of drivers not complying with stop-control is a cause of concern complying with stop-control is a cause of concern for traffic safetyfor traffic safety

• Over 60% of the drivers were found to be full-non-Over 60% of the drivers were found to be full-non-compliant to the stop-control while meager 3% compliant to the stop-control while meager 3% drivers were found to be in full-compliance to the drivers were found to be in full-compliance to the stop-control signs at 4-way stop control stop-control signs at 4-way stop control intersectionsintersections

RESULTSRESULTS

• Large numbers of intersections at Large numbers of intersections at secondary-secondary and secondary-local secondary-secondary and secondary-local road intersections in Kuwait are roundabouts road intersections in Kuwait are roundabouts which operate with typical yield control. which operate with typical yield control.

• The surveys aimed to capture the full-The surveys aimed to capture the full-voluntary yielding behaviour of drivers, voluntary yielding behaviour of drivers, indicate an utter lack of respect for the yield indicate an utter lack of respect for the yield control at the roundabout intersections. control at the roundabout intersections.

• Approximately 3-5% of the respondents Approximately 3-5% of the respondents were found to be in full-compliance and 40% were found to be in full-compliance and 40% in full non-compliance to yield control in full non-compliance to yield control

RESULTSRESULTS

• A significant proportion of drivers interviewed disclosed A significant proportion of drivers interviewed disclosed negligence towards following the traffic rules including the TCDs. negligence towards following the traffic rules including the TCDs.

• Over 30% respondents showed disregard for STOP, 23% for Over 30% respondents showed disregard for STOP, 23% for YIELD and 21% towards the traffic light. YIELD and 21% towards the traffic light.

• This self reported disregard towards these important traffic This self reported disregard towards these important traffic control devices points to the lack of education in terms of traffic control devices points to the lack of education in terms of traffic safety among the drivers in Kuwait. safety among the drivers in Kuwait.

• Over 26% drivers reported not following the directives of road Over 26% drivers reported not following the directives of road markingsmarkings

• Over 35% respondents did not obey the speed limit in secondary Over 35% respondents did not obey the speed limit in secondary and local roads. and local roads.

• These results also points towards focusing on driver education These results also points towards focusing on driver education and more stringent speed enforcement in the neighborhoods and more stringent speed enforcement in the neighborhoods and internal roads in residential districts. and internal roads in residential districts.

• Significant number of surveyed drivers have shown apathy Significant number of surveyed drivers have shown apathy towards parking rules, respect of emergency lanes and disregard towards parking rules, respect of emergency lanes and disregard to safe driving habits.to safe driving habits.

RESULTSRESULTS

• Although Kuwait boasts of a Although Kuwait boasts of a modern road infrastructure with modern road infrastructure with significantly high density of significantly high density of road network, it suffers from road network, it suffers from lack of proper signage, traffic lack of proper signage, traffic control or design issues which control or design issues which add to the issues related to add to the issues related to traffic safetytraffic safety

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

• This paper has presented the results of a study undertaken This paper has presented the results of a study undertaken at Kuwait University funded by the Kuwait Foundation of at Kuwait University funded by the Kuwait Foundation of Advancement of SciencesAdvancement of Sciences

• The study was aimed to quantify non-compliance for: stop The study was aimed to quantify non-compliance for: stop signs, yield signs, and red signal indication at a selected signs, yield signs, and red signal indication at a selected intersection sites in Kuwaitintersection sites in Kuwait

• The results of the direct observation and video surveys have The results of the direct observation and video surveys have indicated very high degree of non-compliance at the 4-way indicated very high degree of non-compliance at the 4-way stop controlled intersections, right-out STOP control stop controlled intersections, right-out STOP control intersections and YIELD controlled roundabout intersections. intersections and YIELD controlled roundabout intersections.

• Significantly higher proportion of drivers not complying with Significantly higher proportion of drivers not complying with stop-control is a cause of concern for traffic safety. stop-control is a cause of concern for traffic safety.

• Over 60% of the drivers were found to be full-non-compliant Over 60% of the drivers were found to be full-non-compliant to the stop-control while smaller insignificant 3% drivers to the stop-control while smaller insignificant 3% drivers were found to be in full-compliance to the stop-control signs were found to be in full-compliance to the stop-control signs at 4-way intersections. at 4-way intersections.

• Similar results were noted at other types of intersection Similar results were noted at other types of intersection control. control.

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

• A large number of deficient designs and/or A large number of deficient designs and/or control were found on a number of roadway control were found on a number of roadway and intersection locations in Kuwait. and intersection locations in Kuwait.

• This underscores the importance of This underscores the importance of improving the control signage and road improving the control signage and road markings. markings.

• The standards and specifications of the The standards and specifications of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the Kuwait Signs and Road (MUTCD) and the Kuwait Signs and Road Markings Manual shall be implemented to Markings Manual shall be implemented to improve the compliance of the TCDs in improve the compliance of the TCDs in Kuwait.Kuwait.

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

• Driver interview surveys undertaken during the Driver interview surveys undertaken during the survey period at sites near the selected survey period at sites near the selected intersections have indicated lack of knowledge intersections have indicated lack of knowledge and/or acceptance of these types of controls on the and/or acceptance of these types of controls on the streets. streets.

• The rising trends in traffic violations and accident The rising trends in traffic violations and accident as well as road fatalities reinforce the concept of as well as road fatalities reinforce the concept of stricter enforcements, improved driver education, stricter enforcements, improved driver education, tighter driver licensing controls and engineering tighter driver licensing controls and engineering measures such as ‘Traffic Calming’ and regular measures such as ‘Traffic Calming’ and regular traffic safety audit on Kuwait’s Road Network. traffic safety audit on Kuwait’s Road Network.

• The indications from the Public Authorities in The indications from the Public Authorities in Kuwait are very encouraging. The Government of Kuwait are very encouraging. The Government of Kuwait has recently established Higher Traffic Kuwait has recently established Higher Traffic Council and has put traffic safety and congestion Council and has put traffic safety and congestion issues on top priority. issues on top priority.

RECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONS

• Implement proper signage and road markings as per Implement proper signage and road markings as per the MUTCD and the Kuwait Signs Manual.the MUTCD and the Kuwait Signs Manual.

• Undertake safety audit of the entire road network in Undertake safety audit of the entire road network in Kuwait to identify unsafe locations and improve them Kuwait to identify unsafe locations and improve them as per the specifications of the MUTCD and local as per the specifications of the MUTCD and local Kuwait Standards. Although, this will be a very Kuwait Standards. Although, this will be a very expensive proposition, sufficient funding may be expensive proposition, sufficient funding may be available from the Government due to the fact that available from the Government due to the fact that traffic safety is one of the most important thrust traffic safety is one of the most important thrust elements of government policy in Kuwait.elements of government policy in Kuwait.

• The study results have indicated lack of knowledge The study results have indicated lack of knowledge and understanding of the meaning of the TCDs (in and understanding of the meaning of the TCDs (in providing road safety) among the drivers in Kuwait. providing road safety) among the drivers in Kuwait. This underscores the importance of driver education. This underscores the importance of driver education. Aggressive driver education and media campaign Aggressive driver education and media campaign shall be instituted to bring sufficient awareness shall be instituted to bring sufficient awareness among the road users in Kuwait. among the road users in Kuwait.

RECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONS

• The enforcement aspect of the Ministry of The enforcement aspect of the Ministry of Interior, Kuwait is rightly focused on over-Interior, Kuwait is rightly focused on over-speeding and red-light running violations. It is speeding and red-light running violations. It is recommended to include violations of the TCDs recommended to include violations of the TCDs including Stop-control, Yield-control and road including Stop-control, Yield-control and road marking violations in to the enforcement marking violations in to the enforcement regime. regime.

• These violations and associated penalties shall These violations and associated penalties shall be properly defined and implemented.be properly defined and implemented.

• As As a next stepa next step this study also recommends this study also recommends further large scale studies to identify hazardous further large scale studies to identify hazardous roadway and intersection locations and to roadway and intersection locations and to propose design solutions to improve the traffic propose design solutions to improve the traffic safety situations in these locations.safety situations in these locations.