Christian M. Richard
Published: 2005
Total Pages: 168
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The objective of this focus group study was to identify driver attitudes and behaviors related to intersection safety and to assess the likely impacts of new or existing infrastructure-based technologies/countermeasures. Four focus groups were conducted at each of three test sites, Washington DC, Chicago, IL, and Seattle, WA. At each site, the four groups corresponded to the age/gender characteristics identified as important to this project. The four groups were: 18-35 year old female drivers only; 18-35 year old male drivers only; 35-55 year old drivers of both genders; 65+ year old drivers of both genders. At each site, the focus groups took place over two separate evenings, with two focus groups conducted per evening. A total of 119 individuals participated in the focus groups. The effort focused on identifying driver attitudes and behaviors with respect to four intersection scenarios: (1) red light running, (2) left turns at busy intersections, (3) turning left onto a major road with moderate traffic, and (4) rear end crashes. For each of these four scenarios, results and conclusions relevant to the following key quesitons are developed and presented: What are drivers most likely to do in this scenario? Why do drivers engage in these behaviors? What engineering countermeasures have the most promise for improving traffic safety?--Technical report documentation page.