EvoRoads Safety Criteria Catalog

Alcohol use

Definition: Percentage of drivers driving within the legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC).

Method: Random breath tests, breath testing from enforcement action, or self-reported behaviour.

Notes: Use KPI. Baseline KPI minimum requirement targets passenger cars on urban roads, rural roads, and motorways. Can be expanded to, for example, include other vehicle types or groupings of BAC levels. As discussed in Yannis and Folla (2022), the EC has expressed a preference for the Baseline KPI to be based on randomised breath tests. However, it is recognised that this may not be possible for all Member States due to practical or legal reasons. Therefore, the three options are available. Note that the legal limit for BAC varies between different countries. Italy, for example, has a legal limit of 0.5 g/l compared to 0.2 g/l in Sweden.

Speed compliance 

Method: Observation of momentaneous speed in free-flowing traffic using, for example, pneumatic tubes, radar or camera systems. Measurement locations should be randomly selected and represent the entire road network studied.

Notes: Use KPI. Baseline KPI minimum requirement targets passenger cars on urban roads, rural roads, and motorways. Can be expanded to include, for example, average speed and other vehicle types. Swedish KPI is slightly different to Baseline KPI as it considers share of traffic volume instead of share of vehicles. It is also based on more extensive, but less frequent, observations at 1 500 location every four years for the national road network.

Safety belt and CRS use

Method: Observations or use of camera at randomly selected locations.

Notes: Use KPI. Baseline KPI minimum requirement targets both front seat and backseat occupants in passenger cars on urban roads, rural roads, as well as motorways. Can be expanded to include, for example, drivers in goods vehicles

Helmet use, PTWs and cyclists

Method: Observations. Random selection of observation points representative of the road network studied.

Notes: Use KPI. Baseline KPI minimum requirement targets urban roads, rural roads, and motorways and includes driver/passenger and age (if legally relevant). Can be expanded to, for example, include sex, other protective equipment and correct use of helmet.

Helmet Fit and Condition

Method: There is no standardized methodology for this indicator yet. Data could be collected based on field inspections or self-reports, with a focus on helmet condition (age, visible damage) and fit (tightness, correct fastening).

Notes: FEMA, among others, highlighted the need of considering, besides the percentage of helmet wearing itself, which is easier to be detected also through cameras, the status of the helmet and the correct fit as essential elements to assure their protective function for all road users involved, e.g. motorcyclists, cyclists, PMD and MOPED riders. Hence, this is a newly proposed indicator to expand the knowledge on riders’ security.

Distraction from devices (VRUs)

Definition: It could measure the proportion of incidents involving VRUs (e.g., pedestrians, cyclists) distracted by devices such as mobile phones or headphones.

Method: There is no standardized methodology for this indicator yet. Data could be collected from police reports, insurance claims, hospital records, self-reports from injured parties.

Notes: The Baseline project addresses this contributing factor for motorized vehicles, but it is generally recognized that distraction from devices could be involved also in VRUs incidents, not only in case of handled devices but also considering isolation caused by headphones, which is not handled by Baseline. Some European countries, such as Denmark, already have regulations concerning cyclists use of devices, but most not. Moreover, it should be noted that, concerning cars, only distraction from mobile devices is currently widely monitored, while distraction coming from the advanced technology systems, screens, installed in modern cars is a recent theme, yet to be explored. However, several studies underline a maximum number of seconds (e.g. 12s) over which distraction from any causes become critical.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Reference: Highway Code, road design and construction manuals, road traffic management manuals.

Notes: Separating vehicle types within the road is always good for the safety of all users.

Definition: Percentage of vehicles travelling within the speed limit.

Method: Observation of momentaneous speed in free-flowing traffic using, for example, pneumatic tubes, radar or camera systems. Measurement locations should be randomly selected and represent the entire road network studied.

Notes: Use KPI. Baseline KPI minimum requirement targets passenger cars on urban roads, rural roads, and motorways. Can be expanded to include, for example, average speed and other vehicle types. Swedish KPI is slightly different to Baseline KPI as it considers share of traffic volume instead of share of vehicles. It is also based on more extensive, but less frequent, observations at 1 500 location every four years for the national road network.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Reference: Road design and construction manuals.

Notes: This value may be affected by weather conditions and infrastructure maintenance. Adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow and ice significantly reduce the skid resistance (or adhesion). Similarly, poor maintenance of the road surface such as poor cleaning, presence of foreign material and widespread irregularities also affect the skid resistance (or adhesion). Data could be monitored in real time using sensors on board vehicles capable of detecting the condition of road surfaces. Recent studies consider the different needs of VRUs vehicles, e.g., mopeds, bicycles, which usually use specific parts of the road, different from cars, and are more susceptible also to minor imperfection of the pavement.

Method: There is no standardized methodology for this indicator yet.

Notes: Ensuring that e-scooters, MOPED and bicycles are parked properly It is generally recognized an important element, to avoid obstructing pathways and creating hazards for pedestrians and other moving VRUs. As to authors knowledge, there are no recognized indicators to measure this, but it could surely benefit from new technologies such as satellite imagery, to identify recurrent incompliances.

Method: There is not yet a standardized methodology for this indicator.

Notes: This indicator is emerging, as e-scooter and MOPEDs regulations are still evolving across Europe. Moreover, differently from cars and motorcycles which are easily recognized by the license plate, there is the need of new methods and regulations which would allow identification of the rider also through automatic means. Otherwise, implementability remains too complex and mostly limited to on-site police checks.

Notes: Use KPI. Baseline KPI minimum requirement targets urban roads, rural roads, and motorways and includes driver/passenger and age (if legally relevant). Can be expanded to, for example, include sex, other protective equipment and correct use of helmet.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Notes: The objective is to reduce the severity of accidents caused by exiting the road by avoiding impacts with obstacles on the side of the road, either by ensuring that there are no elements that could be considered dangerous obstacles, or by achieving clear margins and the presence of materials such as gravel, sand, or rubber derivatives, which help the vehicle to brake before reaching any obstacle that may exist.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Reference: Road design and construction manuals.

Notes: An appropriate distance of visibility also means eliminating or mitigating as much as possible those elements that limit the driver’s visibility of any type of transport (car, bus, truck, motorcycle, etc.).

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Reference: Road design and construction manuals.

Notes: Road safety barriers are complementary to each other in order to ensure a good level of safety.

Definition: Percentage of intersections regulated using traffic lights. This type of intersection minimises the conflicts between the various vehicles occupying the intersection.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %unit (in this case the unit is controlled intersection using traffic lights).

Reference: Road design and construction manuals, road traffic management manuals.

Notes: This type of intersection is the safest and records the least number of incidents.

Roundabouts 

Definition: Percentage of roundabouts present. This type of intersection promotes the reduction in speed and the regularisation of traffic flows and consequently increase the level of safety.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %unit (in this case the unit is controlled intersection with roundabout).

Reference: Road design and construction manuals, road traffic management manuals.

Notes: Roundabouts are used to regulate traffic on all the routes connected to it, so combining safety and traffic management.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Notes: Facilitate guidance along the road layout, especially at night or in low-light conditions. Warn the driver that he or she is approaching a crossing area, dangerous curves or coexistence with vulnerable users.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Reference: Road design and construction manuals.

Notes: This value may be affected by weather conditions and infrastructure maintenance. Adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow and ice significantly reduce the skid resistance (or adhesion). Similarly, poor maintenance of the road surface such as poor cleaning, presence of foreign material and widespread irregularities also affect the skid resistance (or adhesion). Data could be monitored in real time using sensors on board vehicles capable of detecting the condition of road surfaces. Recent studies consider the different needs of VRUs vehicles, e.g., mopeds, bicycles, which usually use specific parts of the road, different from cars, and are more susceptible also to minor imperfection of the pavement.

Horizontal

Definition: Percentage of km of road with road markings to indicate the road and lanes. Many roads due to poor maintenance are lacking road signs that leads the driver not to properly manage the space available for circulation.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Reference: Highway Code.

Notes: The presence of horizontal signs has benefits both for safety and for traffic flow management.

Vertical

Definition: Percentage of km of road with vertical signs where they are needed. The absence of a road sign before a specific point on the infrastructure may cause incidental events.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Reference: Highway Code.

Notes: Statistics tell us that drivers do not read all the vertical signs on a road. For this reason, too, they must be present, clearly legible and visible.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Reference: Road design and construction manuals.

Notes: Road safety barriers are complementary to each other in order to ensure a good level of safety.

Cycle paths

Definition: percentage of km of road with cycle path or dedicate bicycle lane. The presence of cycle paths is essential to allow the transit of cyclists who would otherwise be forced to move on the road interfering with vehicle traffic.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Reference: Road design and construction manuals, road traffic management manuals.

Notes: The presence of cycle paths is a mandatory condition in urban areas as well as in extra-urban areas for more effective protection of cyclists.

Sidewalks

Definition: percentage of km of road with sidewalks. The presence of sidewalks is essential to allow the transit of pedestrians who would otherwise be forced to walk on the road resulting in a danger for themselves and drivers.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Reference: Road design and construction manuals, road traffic management manuals.

Notes: The presence of sidewalks is a mandatory condition in urban areas. In the outlying areas are recommended only on those streets with heavy pedestrian flow.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %m2.

Reference: Road design and construction manuals.

Notes: The higher the visibility, the greater the ability of the driver to cope with driving and consequently avoid accidents. Data could be monitored in real time using sensors detecting the quantity and quality of lighting.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Reference: Road design and construction manuals, road traffic management manuals.

Notes: The presence of lanes dedicated to specific categories or to specific manoeuvres has benefits both for safety and for traffic flow management.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %unit.

Notes: Adaptive cruise control adjusts the vehicle’s speed to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %unit.

Notes: Lane keeping assist actively steers the vehicle back into the lane if the driver does not respond to the warnings.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %unit.

Notes: Traffic sign recognition displays this information to the driver and sometimes integrates it with the vehicle's speed control systems.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %unit.

Notes: It provides real-time information to drivers about traffic conditions, road work, and other important updates.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %unit.

Notes: Automatic emergency braking applies the brakes in case the driver does not act in time after the detection of an impending collision with another vehicle, pedestrian, or object.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %unit.

Definition: Percentage of cars that monitors the vehicle’s blind spots.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %unit.

Notes: Blind spot detection alerts the driver to the presence of other vehicles that may not be visible in the mirrors.

Definition: Percentage of passenger cars with a Euro NCAP safety rating equal or above a threshold.

Method: National statistics on newly registered passenger cars.

Notes: System KPI. Baseline KPI does not specify the threshold but focuses on 4-star and 5-star ratings in the report. The KPI is calculated in two ways: including or excluding cars without a star rating in the denominator.

Definition: Percentage of cars with driver monitoring systems.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %unit.

Notes: Driver monitoring systems uses internal cameras and sensors to monitor the driver’s attention and alertness, warning them if signs of drowsiness or distraction are detected.

Definition: Percentage of km of road covered by network.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Notes: Network coverage is fundamental to exchange and provide to all road users real time information on combined network quality, service availability and infrastructure conditions.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Notes: RSUs facilitate communication between vehicles and infrastructure, providing information on traffic conditions, hazards, and road status.

Method: It is expressed as the ratio of traffic volume to road capacity, often expressed as a percentage or congestion index. Data are collected from traffic counters, GPS data, smart cameras, and ITS.

References: Road traffic management manuals.

Notes: This indicator is well-established and used in urban planning and congestion management. It has high relevance for urban areas but also critical in highways and rural roads with heavy traffic. Data could be monitored in real time using ITS technologies.

Method: Data can come from traffic signal systems, smart city infrastructures, ITS data.

References: Road traffic management manuals.

Notes: This indicator is not widely diffused but already implemented in most advanced traffic management systems, since it requires integration with city-level traffic management systems. It is particularly useful in congested urban centres. Data could be monitored in real time using ITS technologies.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Notes: The application of variable speed limits allows authorities to dynamically adapt the speed limit depending on the prevailing traffic, weather or environmental conditions in accordance with real-time data.

Method: Data can come from traffic signal systems, pedestrian surveys, city-level transport systems.

References: Road traffic management manuals.

Notes: An increased waiting time stresses the pedestrian or cyclist who is encouraged to cross even without authorisation, thus jeopardising his safety and that of other road users. The green times for each vehicle category must be well calibrated in relation to the actual flow need. It is established but not systematically measured in many countries. Data could be monitored in real time using ITS technologies.

Method: The goal is to analyse the standard deviation of vehicle speeds within a given timeframe and location, but the spatial and temporal granularity could vary greatly in different studies. Data can be collected from speed sensors, GPS systems, traffic cameras, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS).

Notes: This indicator is established but used alternatively to other indicators such as congestion level. Data could be monitored in real time using ITS technologies.

Method: The method of assessing this feature is %km.

Notes: This is a driving assistance measure that aims to reduce speed when approaching points or stretches of road safety that pose a particular risk. It calms traffic on the stretches where it is installed.

Method: Time elapsed between incident detection and full traffic recovery. Data can come from traffic incident reports, real-time monitoring systems, ITS.

Notes: The indicator is well-established in advanced traffic systems.