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Transactions on Transport Sciences
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This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Print) 1802-971X - ISSN (Online) 1802-9876
Published by Palacký University Olomouc

[1 journal]

Editorial
- Authors: Ralf Risser
  Citation: Transactions on Transport Sciences 2020, 11(3)
  PubDate: 2020-12-17
Speeding behaviour of adolescents and the image of a typical person who
speeds
- Authors: Sonja E. Forward
  Abstract: The aim of this study was to increase our understanding of what motivates young people to take risks in traffic but also why young men are more likely to get involved in road crashes.The participants aged 16-19 years (N=945) completed an online survey. The questions were influenced by the Theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the Prototype willingness model (PWM) and included a scenario describing a person riding a moped at 65 km/h in an urban area, in which the speed limit was 50 km/h.The results, using a regression analysis, showed that a model which explained their willingness to speed was slightly better than a model explaining their intention. The best predictor, according to the beta weights in both models, was that it was "fun". However, this variable was more important in explaining their willingness than their intention. Other similar factors describing emotions with immediate rewards were also significantly more important in the prediction of willingness than intention.When analysing the willingness to speed amongst young men and women, the results presented both similar and different results. Both were heavily influenced by a belief that it would be "fun". However, only young men also believed that it would impress others and that it would make them popular. Young women on the other hand did not believe that the behaviour was particularly boylike which could explain why they could identify with a person who sped.The conclusion, from this study, is that speeding can be described as a reactive behaviour, but it could not be ruled out that it also can be planned. Based on the results from this study it is concluded that TPB would benefit from the inclusion of PWM variables.
  Citation: Transactions on Transport Sciences 2020, 11(3)
  PubDate: 2020-12-17
  DOI: 10.5507/tots.2020.005
The predictive role of individual differences of the work performance of
Lithuanian driving examiners
- Authors: Auksė Endriulaitienė; Laura Šeibokaitė, Rasa Markšaitytė, Kristina Žardeckaitė-Matulaitienė
  Abstract: Driver examiners are one of the first traffic safety agents as they ensure that candidates with bad skills do not participate in the traffic as licensed drivers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of individual differences for the occupational performance of driving examiners in Lithuania. 103 male examiners and 10 their supervisors participated in the study. Examiners filled in the self-report questionnaires: NEO-PI-R personality questionnaire, the scale of attitudes towards traffic safety, and situational judgement test assessing communication competence. Job performance rates were obtained from supervisors using the routine procedure implemented in the organization. Examiners rated by supervisors as more proficient are those who have higher conscientiousness, agreeableness, openness to experience, extraversion and lower neuroticism as well as high communication competence and more positive attitude towards traffic safety. Communication competence was the only significant predictor of better job performance of driver examiners when controlling for interaction between tested variables. Although the data allowed to distinguish psychological characteristics of examiners who were rated as performing better at their work, the predictive role of individual differences was modest. Other research strategies and variables should be applied in order to reach more comprehensive results in this field.
  Citation: Transactions on Transport Sciences 2020, 11(3)
  PubDate: 2020-12-17
  DOI: 10.5507/tots.2020.012
Choosing footbridge or signalized crossing in an urban area: what triggers
pedestrians'
- Authors: Maria Ourania Skandami; Iliani Styliani Anapali, Socrates Basbas
  Abstract: Pedestrians face difficulties when trying to cross a road in the urban environment since they are exposed to vehicular traffic. One of the measures to overcome the problems in the case of multilane roads with high traffic volumes is the construction of footbridges. However, pedestrians are not always in favor of footbridges for various reasons (e.g., excessive effort to use the footbridge, deviation from their scheduled route etc.). Thus, pedestrians often face a dilemma, whether to use the footbridge or the signalized crossing. In the framework of this paper an attempt has been made to examine the factors that influence the use of footbridges in the urban environment and the factors that influence the use of signalized crossings in the near area of the footbridge. The case study refers to a major arterial road with heavy traffic volumes in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece. A statistical model was developed, quantifying the impact of quantitative and qualitative factors, as well as pedestrians' social characteristics on the frequency of using the footbridge. The study area included two signalized crossings and the footbridge. Pedestrians can choose either the footbridge or the signalized intersections to cross the road. Counts were made concerning traffic volume, vehicle speed and pedestrian flow. A questionnaire- based survey including 130 interviewees was conducted among pedestrians referring to the three ways of crossing the road (2 level crossings and the footbridge). Almost half of the pedestrians (49%) stated that they never use the footbridge. Most of the responders (87%) consider the footbridge very safe even though they do not use it. In the analysis made in this paper, an ordinal regression model was developed that utilizes questionnaire survey data and field measurements. The aim of the ordinal regression model is to investigate the variables affecting the operation of the footbridge through measuring the frequency of choosing the footbridge to cross the road. The model indicated that pedestrians aged between 25-39 years old have less possibilities to cross using the footbridge. The odds ratio calculation revealed that interviewees who state that the footbridge is very easy to use are more likely to use the footbridge frequently compared to those who state that the footbridge is not at all or almost at all easy to use. The ordinal regression model predicted 0,2 times higher possibility to use the footbridge seldom when interviewees say that their distance from the footbridge affects a little or a lot their crossing point decision. Finally, amongst other important outcomes, the model revealed that interviewees spotted on the footbridge are more likely to use it regularly, thus using the footbridge is more a habit than a random act. Statistical models of this type may help researchers understand pedestrians' attitudes better and potentially contribute to a far better design of new infrastructures or better management of existing infrastructures, considering the user's point of view.
  Citation: Transactions on Transport Sciences 2020, 11(3)
  PubDate: 2020-12-17
  DOI: 10.5507/tots.2020.013
Evaluating the road safety of local municipalities with application of
GRA: Montenegro case study
- Authors: Mirjana Grdinić-Rakonjac; Vladimir Pajković
  Abstract: Evaluation of road safety is the core of road safety management, and to prevent traffic accidents, an understanding of the factors that cause them is essential. Currently, road safety experts show great interest in finding one fair approach to evaluate and compare road safety situations in different territories. Previously, the assessment of the situation and comparisons were based on the size of the consequences in traffic accidents but recently, the road safety experts turned to observing and comparing safety indicators as a more humane approach, given that in this way critical aspects can be seen at an early stage and before accidents occur. Over time, an approach of describing the road safety situation with a composite index has been developed in which a large number of indicators have been aggregated. The composite traffic safety index is a useful tool in assessing the safety situation that provides comparison, monitoring and communication between different territories and defines the elements of the system that need to be improved. The methodological development of the index construction continues today. The main steps of the mentioned process are the selection of the relevant set of indicators and determining the influence of each of them. In this paper, a set of ten hierarchical road safety indicators in terms of final outcomes, the road users' behavior and basic territory information are weighted with grey relational analysis and aggregated in order to calculate one composite index score of 21 municipalities of Montenegro. Grey relational analysis can measure the relative importance among indicators, implying that those with higher grey weight values are more significant than those with lower grey weights. However, it cannot be claimed that indicator with the highest weight has the greatest impact on accidents occurrence, but it certainly indicates a field where strategies can be adopted to improve level of road safety.
  Citation: Transactions on Transport Sciences 2020, 11(3)
  PubDate: 2020-12-17
  DOI: 10.5507/tots.2020.015
Advantages and disadvantages of rail transportation as perceived by
passengers: A qualitative and quantitative study in the Czech Republic
- Authors: Martina Trepáčová; Veronika Kurečková, Petr Zámečník, Pavel Řezáč
  Abstract: IntroductionPublic transport is an important element of sustainable mobility. Rail travel is a traditional mode of transport in the Czech Republic. Its many benefits include positive environmental and safety aspects and the reduction of traffic jams. The choice of transport mode is a complex process involving both rational and irrational motives. More effective promotion of rail transport requires a better understanding of how it is perceived by potential users. This research identifies the key factors perceived as advantages and disadvantages of rail transportation in the Czech Republic.MethodsIn the first phase, an interview framework was constructed and used for in-depth interviews in 35 households using the interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA). These interviews defined the key preferences and barriers for using the train. Data collection was complemented by a quantitative online survey of 405 respondents who rarely used the train.ResultsIn the qualitative part of the research, several topics arose from the interviews. Respondents perceive the following aspects as advantages when travelling by train: comfort, the train as a space for social interaction, the view, transportation without worry, and seat reservations. Disadvantages include: crowding, organization of the rail system, low number of trains, delays, train routes, boarding and exiting the train, and luggage transportation. Finances and safety are seen both as advantages and disadvantages of rail travel.The results of the quantitative part of the research show respondents appreciate that they do not have to pay attention or control the actual process of travelling (n = 232; 57.3%) as compared to using an automobile. They also perceive the ability to move around in the train (n = 153, 37.8%) and the comfort during the journey (n = 152, 37.5%) as advantages. On the other hand they see as disadvantages delays (n = 192, 47.4%), transfers between modes of travel (n = 177, 43.7%) and poor access to some destinations (n = 161, 39.8%).ConclusionsTravelling is a daily part of many people's lives, and it is desirable to create conditions that simplify this process and make rail transportation accessible to as many passengers as possible across society, whether for individuals, groups, or persons with reduced mobility. This research identified areas that could influence decision-making for the use of rail transportation.
  Citation: Transactions on Transport Sciences 2020, 11(3)
  PubDate: 2020-12-17
  DOI: 10.5507/tots.2020.014