Investigating the all-red-light violation and the increase in front-to-side crashes at signalized intersections

Sadeghi-Bazargani, Homayoun; Hazegh, Ehsan; Afshari, Abolfazl; Asadi Anbardan, Mohammad; Yazdani, Mirbahador · 2024 · Crossref

DOI: 10.34172/mj.2024.027

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Summary

This study investigates the factors contributing to "all-red-light" violations at signalized intersections, a specific behavior where drivers enter an intersection while all traffic lights are red, often leading to severe front-to-side collisions. The research was motivated by high rates of traffic injuries and fatalities globally, with a specific focus on Iran, where drivers frequently disregard their approach signals during the all-red interval intended for intersection evacuation. The authors aimed to identify traffic and geometric parameters influencing these violations to develop strategies for preventing such crashes. The researchers conducted a field study at 11 signalized intersections in Tabriz, Iran, comprising 27 approaches with varying traffic and geometric characteristics. Data were collected discreetly during morning and evening peak hours to ensure driver behavior remained unaffected by observation. A total of 4,986 vehicles were examined, with variables including driver gender, vehicle type, and violation instances recorded. The study also gathered geometric data such as cycle length, signal timing (green, yellow, and red intervals), intersection width, and left-turn types. Linear regression modeling was performed using STATA software to determine significant predictors of all-red-light violations, with the risk defined as the proportion of first-queue vehicles entering the intersection during the all-red phase. The results indicated that the risk of all-red-light violations varied significantly across approaches, ranging from 0.065 to 0.575. Descriptive analysis showed that male drivers (risk: 0.248) and taxi drivers (risk: 0.312) had higher violation risks compared to female drivers (risk: 0.191) and bus drivers (risk: 0.205). The final regression model identified three significant variables at a 95% confidence level: red-light interval, intersection width, and left-turn type. The red-light interval had a positive coefficient, indicating that longer red times increased the likelihood of violations, likely due to driver impatience. Conversely, intersection width and permitted left-turn types had negative coefficients. Narrower approaches with fewer vehicles in the first queue showed higher violation rates, as drivers lacked the social pressure of group movement to restrain them. Additionally, permitted left-turn configurations were associated with higher violation risks compared to protected turns. The study concludes that specific geometric and timing factors significantly influence all-red-light violations. The findings suggest practical implications for traffic safety, including the prioritization of red-light camera installation at high-risk intersections and the optimization of signal timing. Specifically, the authors recommend designing traffic light placements so that drivers cannot easily observe signal changes on adjacent approaches, thereby reducing the tendency to move prematurely. These strategies aim to mitigate front-to-side crashes by addressing the behavioral and environmental triggers of all-red-light violations.

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• roadway lighting effects