Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Impact Of Road Infrastructure And Environment On Powered-Two-Wheelers Injury Severityat Non-Signalized Intersections In A Developing Country - Mauritius
by Roodheer Beeharry, Rajeshwar Goodary, Vatanavongs Ratanavaraha

Abstract:
Powered-Two-Wheelers or PTWs (motorcycles and mopeds) play an important role for mobility worldwide. Despite their advantages, including low cost, space and fuel efficiency, the risk of sustaining serious or fatal injuries for PTW riders is higher than for other vehicleoccupants. Education and enforcement measures alone are not enough to fully tackle the road safety problem. On the basis of the Safe System approach to road safety contributory factors related to the road infrastructure and environment also need to be considered. PTWs users are particularly vulnerable at unsignalized road junctions. This study explores the road engineering determinants which influence PTW rider injury severity at four types of unsignalized intersection: roundabouts, crossroads, Y-junctions and T-junctions. Using PTW-involved crash data in Mauritius from 2014 to 2016, the contributory factors of severe injury (fatal or serious injury) were identified using the logit analysis method. A wide range of explanatory variables potentially affecting injury severity was considered, including road characteristics, environmental characteristics and crash characteristics. Our findings show that roundabout junction-type, yield-controlled junctions, road-lighting conditions at night, rear impact, right-angle collision, head-on collision and crashes occurring during weekends to be associated with PTW crashes involving severe injury.

Keywords: Junction-Type, Junction Control, Crash Type, Motorcycle And Mopeds, Crash Severity

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