ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC CAR DRIVER COMPREHENSION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE AND STATISTICAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENT MODELING IN HAWASSA CITY

Abstract

The main purpose of traffic control devices, as well as the implication for their use, is to ensure traffic safety and efficiency by providing for the orderly movement of all road users. This study addressed the main gap between driver and the implementation of traffic control device in Hawassa city. Three specific objectives conducted in this study. In the first, driver understanding of traffic control device with respect to their personal characteristic, the second is identifying types of traffic control device that creates confusion for drivers and the third is developing statistical model of traffic accidents in Hawassa city. The method adopted for these specific objectives involves the use of field work observation, questionnaire and data collected from different sectors. There are 74 questionnaires prepared and distributed for the public car drivers for the total of 485 public cars in Hawassa city. The questionnaire includes two types of question item which are; short answer questions designed to give detailed information about the drivers’ demographic characteristics such as the age, sex, marital status driving experience and educational background. A total of 28 symbols included, 8 regulatory signs, 7 warning signs, 5 guide signs, 5 road markings and 3 traffic signals.

The analysis showed that there was low understanding of traffic control devices by drivers. From the total selected type of 8 regulatory sign the average percentage of the correct answer was 52%, from 7 warning sign average percentage of the correct answer was 58%, guide sign 34%, traffic signal 66% and road marking 43%. At 5% significant the statistical test proved that educational background and age were as a major factor affecting the understanding of traffic control devices as observed in the test carried out. Drivers especially those with low educational background should take special training to get a better understanding of traffic control devices. The correlation coefficient between explanatory variables of general roads and accidents in Hawassa city, shows that AADT had positive correlation with traffic accidents the others pedestrian zebra crossing and asphalt road access had a negative correlation with traffic accident