The safety of trams - methods for lowering the probability of certain types of collisions in tram traffic

This is the final report on the project safety of trams - methods for lowering the probability of certain types of collisions in tram traffic. Tram traffic and road traffic are two transport systems which must operate in the street zone under conditions that are to some extent dissimilar, and this can result in conflicts and accidents. The most common accident in tram traffic is a collision between a tram and a road vehicle, but collisions also occur between trams. By designing a traffic environment that is clear, easy to understand and interpret, the number of conflict situations can probably be reduced. The ideas and judgments set out in the report may be summarised in the following conclusions: - In-depth cooperation among traffic planners, urban planners and behavioural scientists would be of great importance in designing safe and functional traffic environments where both tram traffic and road traffic operate at the same time. - Where tram traffic and road traffic operate at the same time, warning devices and safety installations must be designed so that they give clear and understandable signals as to what applies in which situation. - The external design of trams should be discussed from a safety perspective and not, to such a large extent, from an aesthetic perspective which is often the case at present.