AN OVERVIEW OF TRAFFIC PSYCHOLOGY: DO RESEARCH AND MEASURES MATCH?

The author explores the meaning of the term psychology. He states that the acid test for traffic psychology is not so much whether it can provide a basis for understanding traffic behaviour as it is in providing a basis of accident countermeasures. In order to do so, it should evolve from the descriptive to the prescriptive. It also should address other components of the traffic system than the driver. He goes on to consider the contribution psychology can make to road design, driver information systems, driver fatigue studies, older drivers, traffic law violation, driver testing and treatment, and transport behaviour. He concludes that traffic psychology still is very much dispersed and lacks an integrative framework, both in terms of theory and methodology. Moreover, the substantial gap between so-called fundamental and problem-oriented research prevents productive application of research results. An integrative approach implies that social-psychological and performance aspects of road user behaviour and accident occurrence are to be understood within a common modelling framework. While some attempts are made, much more effort will be required. For the covering abstract see IRRD 492593.