Gateway design assessment in the transition from high to low speed areas

Transition zones from high-speed areas to low-speed areas are particularly critical. In this study the effectiveness of 12 gateways located at the entrance and exit of 6 towns aligned along 15 km of a same route was assessed. Gateways varied according to chicane deflection (0°, 3°, 4°), and central island (raised versus ghost). All gateways had dragon’s teeth and a extended town sign. The effectiveness of gateway design has been assessed by before–after analysis of speed parameters and crash statistics, and also by driver’s eye movement analysis. The aims were to assess which components of the gateway were most looked at, how the gateway design could reduce distraction behaviour (gaze directed to non-relevant driving targets) and how gaze behaviour was related to speed reductions. The comparison of before–after crash data demonstrated the efficiency of the adopted solutions, having obtained a substantial reduction in the number of accidents, injuries and deaths of respectively 50.4%, 61.1% and 100%. The raised island was the most effective element for speed reduction (-7.24 km/h), being also the most seen. The raised island significantly lowered distractions in gaze behaviour. The amount of gaze to the gateway components was significantly correlated to speed reduction entering the gateway.