"INHERENT SAFE" 80 KM/H ROADS. DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGY FOR AN "INHERENT SAFE (RE)CONSTRUCTION OF THROUGH 80 KM/H ROADS IN THE NETHERLANDS. PART I: CHOICE OF THE RELEVANT ROADS AND THE FORMULATION OF CRITERIA AND REQUIREMENTS

The former Dienst Verkeerskunde of Rijkswaterstaat commissioned SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research to develop a strategy for an inherent reconstruction of 80 km/h through in the Netherlands. The first part of this study is the conceptualization phase. It classifies 80 km/h through mainly as main roads meant for both a smooth and safe traffic operation, and travelling over a longer distance. In order to obtain inherent 80 km/h through roads, they should be designed and implemented in such a way that the risks and consequences of accidents will be minimal. Therefore, they should meet a number of requirements, for instance: (1) accessibility to fast traffic only; (2) the physical segregation of the driving directions into two carriageways in order to prevent the risk of head on collisions; (3) the construction of stopping places for vehicles and buses, possibly not bordering directly on the road; (4) a sufficient capacity to prevent congestion (5) a clear and timely visible road signalling system; and (6) the choice of the multi-level junction. For part two see IRRD 859317.