The RADAR project´s partner, the Czech auto-moto club (ÚAMK) just finished the extensive investigation related to the theoretical and practical protection of vulnerable road users (VRU) on roads in cities and villages in the Czech Republic. 

The pilot action is dedicated to all groups of vulnerable road users, which means not only to pedestrians and cyclists but to disabled, blind, users of powered two-wheelers, as well.

The first part of the extensive investigation for planned pilot action was dedicated to defining specificities of VRUs and identifying their practical needs to feel safe on the roads while still considering and respecting other road users. The second part was focused on the appropriate legislation and standard solutions that will contribute to safe journeys (i.e. road reconstructions or any other pedestrian/cyclists’ traffic-calming approaches). Within the third part of the investigation, ÚAMK investigated analysis of the demand for different forms of traffic, which was based on the results of several finished Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMP). The volumes and percentage of such users were shown in the Modal Split calculations supported by extensive traffic surveys.

The next part of the pilot contains the extensive survey, which was executed on the carefully selected cities and villages based on the number of inhabitants, road infrastructure, public transport, occupation opportunity, schools, and other social infrastructure. The survey was executed in seven categories of urbanisation, from 100,000 inhabitants to less than 500.

The positive and negative experience was documented on photos collected, from which the generalised description of VRU conditions in practical life was defined. Apart from the urban area’s investigation, special attention was given to the VRU safety along with some strategical aspects (1st class roads of international importance) and to the conditions in the recreational areas.

Police accident statistics related to all groups of VRU were analysed regarding the time, place, age, group. Special attention was given to the case study of the dwelling Olbramovice, where 1st class E -the road is going through, alternative motorway connection from Prague to Linz (Austria) that is delayed in Central Bohemia Region for more than 20 years and even the planned by-pass was considered.

The general comparison of the theoretical solution and the reality is the important message to the government and relevant authorities, when they will face the duty to implement the latest 2019 amendment of the EU Directive 2008/96/EC on road infrastructure safety management, is to pay attention to TEN-T network on the primary highways and specifically on the vulnerable road user needs.