Motivation and background Due to the growing number of road traffic victims in Suriname, this topic is recently discussed extensively and placed high on the political agenda there. Compared to the Netherlands, the traffic in Suriname is approximately five times less safe. Some figures of traffic safety in Suriname show that the situation is concerning. In 2010 the total amount of people demanding emergency help at the AZP due to traffic accidents was 5016. Compared with statistics from 2008, this number has increased with 35%, as in 2008 the quantity was 3697 people. Looking at the number of fatalities in 2003, the number was 62 and in 2010 it was 87, showing an increase of over 40% in eight years. This means an average increase of the number of deaths by about 5% per year in that period. When only the statistics of fatalities are taken into account, it is clear that the number of fatalities in 2003 (62 deaths) compared to 2007 (90 deaths) shows an increasing trend. In 2009 there was a peak of 112 fatalities, followed by a decrease to 87 deaths in 2010. Until 2012 it remained steady with 86 deaths in 2011 and 83 in 2012. From these figures, an upward trend can be observed for the number of road accidents and fatalities in Suriname. Road accidents are tragic events that often cause untold human suffering. In addition, every death is one too many. Traffic and road safety are important for the Surinamese and in particular road safety remains a "hot issue" in Suriname. Research scope This research focuses on the urban agglomeration Greater Paramaribo, which is assumed the districts of Paramaribo and the adjacent Wanica. Due to the realization of the bridge across the Suriname river, the urban area within the range of Paramaribo is enlarged to the western part of the district of Commewijne. Due to the low number of deaths (5 in 2010) in Commewijne that part is not included in the geographical demarcation of this research. Chapter 3 of this study emphasizes further on the geographical demarcation. Regarding traffic types, this research focuses on the road traffic of Greater Paramaribo. Road traffic is divided into two types: motorized traffic (cars, motorcycles, mopeds) and non-motorized traffic (pedestrians and cyclists). Given the scope of this study, the design measures are primarily focused on infrastructural aspects. Besides this, guidelines for possible generic measures are presented, such as in the area of enforcement and education. The degree of traffic safety can be expressed in many different ways. Direct variables that can be used to measure traffic accidents are the number of accidents or divided in terms of the number of fatalities or the number of victims with varying degrees of severity. In this study, the severity of the accident in terms of the number of fatalities is chosen as an indicator for traffic safety. In Greater Paramaribo, only the number of fatalities is registered and published by the authorities. Problem Definition The following problem definition has been formulated in this study: In the current situation many traffic accidents occurs in Greater Paramaribo. The traffic safety on the road network in Greater Paramaribo is insufficient. This research project has the following objective: Analyzing the traffic safety situation and providing recommendations for improving the current and future traffic safety situation in Greater Paramaribo. The main research question: What steps can be taken to improve traffic safety in Greater Paramaribo? To answer the research question, several sub-questions are derived. The answers to these sub questions should lead to the answer of the main research question. Each sub question is linked with a phase (Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation) of the chosen basic design methodology for this research. Used methods and techniques To answer the mentioned sub-questions, different methods and techniques are used: Literature study: A literature review is conducted to create theoretical basis of this research. The main advantage of this method is that much information can be gathered fast, which can be used to analyze the traffic safety situation in Greater Paramaribo. Document review: This research technique is used for the literature review, by consulting existing sources (secondary research). The sources consist of databases, archives and libraries. For example, data from a previous study is used to compare own collected data on traffic accident locations in Greater Paramaribo. Case Study: This method is used to identify and study the underlying causes of traffic accidents. Two techniques are used: the research paper (secondary research) and observations. By performing detailed observations on different locations, insight is gathered in the way certain situations occurred in practice due to infrastructural factors. Observations: This technique of data generation is used to investigate traffic conditions, road users and infrastructural concerns on site (called black spot roads). Therefore a list of infrastructural issues related to traffic safety is used as an observation schedule, road and intersection data is gathered and traffic situation sketches are made. Interviews: This technique is especially used to analyze the current policy on traffic safety. The number of people that is interviewed for this research is limited to the main actors that are involved in the traffic safety policy of Greater Paramaribo. Analysis: In this study, the black spot approach is used. The important steps in this approach are: 1. Analysis of accident statistics and identification of unsafe traffic locations (area where many accidents occur). 2. Analysis for searching patterns and commonalities of accidents at the sites identified, with the aim of determining 'why' the accident occurred. 3. The determination of measures (often infrastructural improvements) on basis of the analysis step. In this "reactive" approach, the unsafety at the dangerous locations with the most accidents is tackled. Conclusions The answers to the sub-questions are presented below, as a result of various research methods and techniques that have been applied. A1: What are the main factors that affect traffic safety and how can they be improved? In general there are three group of factors which affect traffic safety. These factors are related to human, vehicle and physical environment. These factors can be improved by: reducing the risk of exposure, by reducing the risk accident rate and by reducing the accident severity. The basic philosophy in improving road safety is by working simultaneously on different areas on the improvement of road safety. These areas are traditionally called the three E's (Education, Engineering, Enforcement), and should strengthen each other in order to provide good results. A systematic approach is needed there fore. A2: What is the current traffic safety situation in Greater Paramaribo? The analysis of accident statistics shows that there are more male (80%) than female (20%) fatalities in Greater Paramaribo. It can be assumed that men have a higher risk of being involved in traffic accidents and a higher chance to get killed due to these accidents. In the age group 21-40 years, most traffic victims occur, which is a fact for both male and female victims. This means that in Greater Paramaribo young people have a higher risk of dying due to a road accident. When looking at the type of victim, it can be noticed that the largest group of victims in Greater Paramaribo are mopeds (40%), followed by pedestrians (25%) and car drivers (20%). The increasing popularity of this vehicle (mopeds) in Greater Paramaribo, especially among young people, is problematic. Accidents by these road users are mostly caused by fast driving and other road users often not providing enough priority to the mopeds. The percentage of victims of cyclists is 9.70% and that of higher category cars (busses and trucks) is 3.73%. The road users in Greater Paramaribo which have the most risk of getting involved in traffic accidents are the so called slow traffic users (mopeds, cyclists and pedestrians). This group has a higher risk to die due to a traffic accident. If we look at the type of collision that mainly occurs in Greater Paramaribo, it can be noticed that the majority (35%) of collisions occur between cars (motorists) and mopeds. Secondly these collisions occur between pedestrians and cars (20%) and thirdly (18%) are single-vehicle accidents (mopeds excluded). The percentage of accidents between cyclist and cars is 8.96%, moped- moped accidents is 5.22%, car-car accidents is 7.46% and the last type is between pedestrians and mopeds with a percentage of 4,48%. The fact that there are a limited number of unilateral moped accidents (moped-moped) with fatalities may suggest that these road users exceed the allowed maximum speed, or die due to collusion with obstacles on and around the roads. In accidents involving several road users, mostly car drivers are the counterparty. If the counterparties of these car drivers are being grouped; it shows that 70% are car drivers. This indicates that between slow and fast traffic users, main problems causing traffic collisions exist implicating that measures must be related to infrastructural factors. As most fatalities in Greater Paramaribo take place between these groups, the focus in preventing accidents lies on the group moped riders, cyclists and pedestrians. Environmental factors that may affect traffic accidents based on analysis of statistics: For each weather season, the occurred type of collusions is analyzed in order to identify possible causes for traffic accidents influenced by environmental factors. The aim was to investigate whether environmental factors such as moisture or water on the road surface causes traffic accidents. Analysis shows that most of the moped-car accidents occur in the rainy season, which is also applicable to the pedestrian and cyclist accidents. Causes of traffic accidents due to environmental factors: • Poor or absent drainage facilities on the road, leading rainwater to remain longer on the road. • Bad visibility for vulnerable users through the raindrops. • Remaining rainwater on the road causing users to avoid this and using the space (pavement) of the faster road users like cars. • Poor road conditions (potholes), which are filled with water and form a risk for two wheelers when riding into them, resulting to lose control of their vehicle. • Sidewalks for pedestrians often get flooded, which can cause them to fall down or to use the road instead These conditions create a traffic hazard situation which can result to an accident involving vulnerable road users. A3: Which actors are involved within the scope of this research and what are their interests? The main stakeholders are the Ministry of Public Works (OW) in terms of infrastructure related issues and the Traffic Police (VP) regarding enforcement related issues. OW and VP are the actors which can influence the traffic safety policy of Greater Paramaribo. All the other involved actors have the same interest, which is to improve the current traffic safety situation of Greater Paramaribo. A4: What criteria can be used for the implementation of measures? The analysis shows that the main criteria that have to be taken into account for implementing measures are costs and road traffic safety. A5: Which roads and intersections within the traffic network of Greater Paramaribo are unsafe? It can be concluded that in general all types of roads (category 1: arterial, category 2: collectors and category 3: local roads) are unsafe in Greater Paramaribo. This is based on the analysis in this research indicating that there are no major differences in percentage of fatalities per road type (38% in category 1, 34% in category 2 and 28% in category 3 roads). A6: What are the characteristics (infrastructure-related factors) of these roads and intersections that make them unsafe? After selecting a number of black spots for further research, it can be concluded that different risk factors related to the infrastructure influence road traffic accidents. If these factors are classified, the following areas are distinguished: Design, Construction, Road Marking & Signaling and Maintenance. The black spot list generated from dataset 1 is validated and reliable, since these roads are also known as black spot roads based on analysis of dataset 2. S1: What measures will improve the safety on the roads and intersections of Greater Paramaribo? Infrastructure measures related to the following five risk areas: Design, Construction, Road Marking & Signaling and Maintenance: Design • Avoid conflicts of crossing traffic as much as possible • Physical separation of vehicle types when there are large differences of speed • Reducing speed at conflict points (such as intersections) • Ensure recognizable road categories Construction, Signaling & Marking • Better and more road marking and signaling • Speed reducing measures • Construction of sidewalks and better pavement and more visible crosswalks • Refer mopeds to the bicycle and moped lanes on the category 1 roads, leading to a smaller degree of mixed traffic between vehicles with large speed differences. • Construct broader cycle lanes • Road markings by constructing more lines and crosswalks Maintenance • Creating optimal conditions for good visibility. • More, safe and clean sidewalks for pedestrians • Uniform and cleaning sidewalks • Maintaining drainage services of road and sidewalk regularly • Paving of unpaved sidewalks, leading to good infrastructure facilities for pedestrians • Maintaining pedestrian crossings regularly, making them optimally visible for road users S2: What measures are applicable for Greater Paramaribo? Besides the infrastructural measures (from S1) also generic measures must be taken. These generic measures can be aimed on the vehicle, the drivers and the assistance. Besides these orientations of generic measures, combinations with group age categories can be made. Examples of generic measures for mopeds: • Information / Education aimed at younger drivers • Helmet duty in combination with helmet requirements • Counteracting engine volume increase of the vehicle (moped) • Introducing moped license and setting of a minimum age for driving a moped • Requirements on training and examination Higher enforcement regarding speed, helmets and vehicle engine volume increase E1: What are expected effects of these measures? In particular, the infrastructure-related measures have been successfully implemented in many countries leading road safety to score high and benefits greater than the costs. In general, the expected effects when these measures are implemented in Greater Paramaribo will be also positive. E2: What advice can be given to the authorities of Greater Paramaribo concerning traffic safety improvement? The advice to the authorities on the shorter term is to define traffic policy which is based on a reactive approach and for the longer term a pro active approuch in order to improve traffic safety. Infrastructure measures to be implemented on the short term can be in the field of signaling & marking and maintenance. On existing roads and intersections where there is enough space available, applying traffic facilities (pedestrian crossings, bus bays, clean roadsides etc.) for vulnerable road users can be started with. For the longer term, measures have to be implemented in the field of design and construction. The preparation of design standards and guidelines is an action which can be started on the short term. Once these are established for Greater Paramaribo, new infrastructure can be designed based on these standards. Audits can be performed to assure that new infrastructure is designed and constructed in accordance with the directives and standards. When generic measures are taken into consideration for being implemented, it is necessary to investigate for which type of road users it is meant. By taking this into account generic measures can perform better, because they are more effective and reflected better on the practice, compared to a general situation. For the situation in Greater Paramaribo the focus must be on the vulnerable road users like the mopeds, pedestrians and cyclists. Generic measures such as campaigns and education programs must be implemented on short term. Recommendations • Elaborate further on specific measures in the category generic- and infrastructural measures for each target group is recommended. Further elaboration will create a more accurate picture of associated costs and return (benefits) in terms of road safety. Further research into the preparation and development of design guidelines and standards to be established for new roads and intersections is also recommended • Categorize the road network of Great Paramaribo to an official functional hierarchy of roads. • Register traffic accidents in a systematic way. Further research is recommended on this area, since it has proved during this research how limited and laborious it is to consult data sources. For effective road safety policy and research recording accident data is essential, because it gives insight in characteristics of these accidents. It is desirable that software used in registration procedures is user-friendly, so that the competent authorities do not have to experience difficulties. In this way, exchange of data between main data collectors (ABS, AZP and VP) can be very beneficial in sense of using it as input for effective road safety policy. • With the existence of the SOV an important step towards the development of road safety policy has been made in Greater Paramaribo. However, it is recommended to use this graduation project as a turn of input for the establishment of a road safety plan. The black spots investigated in this study can be elaborated further into specific measures that can be implemented to improve traffic safety on these locations.