3^rd Map - Critical sections on international roads

21 critical sections of international roads

21 critical sections on the network of international roads in Poland have been selected by connecting the two above maps (1st Map – individual risk, and 2nd Map – social risk). The critical sections denote fragments of international roads that are ‘black’ sections on both maps (individual and social risks). These sections have been presented on the 3rd Map. Most such sections occur on national roads No. 7, 4, 2 and 1. The following sections are most congested: in the vicinity of crossroads of the national roads No. 1 and 2, access roads to large agglomerations such as Warsaw, Krakow, Wrocław and TriCity and roads of low safety standards (roads No. 17, 8 and 4).

Table 3.1 shows the general figures for the critical sections. They constitute mere 9% of the total network of international roads in Poland, but they were the place of 20% of accidents involving fatalities and severe injuries in 2005-2007. The costs of these accidents amount to 15% of total costs of accidents on international roads in Poland.

The table indicates the peak of the most dangerous international road sections in Poland. The map confirms the location of such sections on the most problematic road routes in Poland, which implies the necessity of their reconstruction in order to radically improve the safety standards. The following actions should result in the definite improvement of road safety on the critical sections:

Only such reconstructions will eliminate the critical fragments from the maps of 'black sections'.

Table 3.1
The critical sections on international roads in Poland in 2005-2007 – individual risk of involvement in specific types of road accidents

Table 3.2 presets the probability of various types of accidents on critical sections. The results show the main problems in road safety on Polish international roads:

• the main problem are the accidents that involve pedestrians (32% of accidents with fatalities and severe injuries, 38% fatalities),
• head-on collisions pose another important problem, as well as side collisions and accidents due to speeding,
• accidents due to driving off a road (into a tree, overturning) occur much less frequently on such roads than other types of accidents.

Table 3.2
Critical sections of international roads in Poland in 2005-2007 – the number of accidents, casualties and costs by accident types:

Table 3.3 shows the results of the individual risk assessment by types of road accidents involving fatalities and severe injuries. The risk classification has been presented based on hotel rankings (from one start – the highest risk, to five starts – the lowest risk). The analysis of the results leads to the conclusion that there is a high risk of the following accidents on the critical sections of international roads in Poland in 2005-2007:

• involving pedestrians, on all 21 critical sections,
• side collisions on 19 sections, head-on collisions on 17 sections and speeding on 15 sections, and
• all five types of accidents on the critical section No. 15 (Miechów – Słomniki), the national road No. 7.

Table 3.3

The presented map of critical sections on the international roads in Poland and the stars granted to individual sections assist:

• drivers, in correcting their behaviour on roads, taking account of hazards present on specific sections of roads,
• the road managements, in taking measures to reduce the risk of individual types of accidents, and
• state authorities, in verifying directions and increasing the pace of reconstructing the basic road network, including the construction of fast roads (motorways and express roads) that feature lowest risks of accident involvement.

Such comprehensive measures should contribute to reducing the risks on the above-mentioned sections of roads and to achieving at least 4-star safety levels.