KA 04

AWARENESS TOWARD ROAD SAFETY AT UTHM PAGOH

CAMPUS

Muhammad Luqman Arif Bin Azhar, Mohammad Amirul Bin Mohd Nizam,
Muhammad Syazwan Bin Muhamad Yusaini

Department of Civil Engineering,

Centre for Diploma Studies,
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia
xxx@xxx.com

ABSTRACT

Road safety is very important in this modernization era. Universiti Tun Hussein
Onn Malaysia Pagoh campus has been chosen as our study area since it is newly
developed area. The implementation of road safety standards has yet to be audited.
The aim of this study is to identify source that affecting the traffic safety and later
propose the solution to improve the traffic safety in UTHM Pagoh. In this case study,
the questionnaire was distributed to UTHM Pagoh residents to identify either they are
aware on road safety. Next, road safety audit was conducted to recognize the safety
standard at UTHM Pagoh campus. The road safety audit that been held highlighted
on several aspect such as road furniture and road geometry. After the road safety
audit are conducted, some parts of the road have been identified its problem and it
requires appropriate improvements in order create a safe traffic environment in the
campus. Result from questionnaire, show that majority of the respondent awareness
about road safety are moderate. Furthermore, most of the respondent stated that the
road safety standard in UTHM Pagoh campus are moderate and they also give some
suggestions on how to improve the road safety in campus. In the conclusion, the
traffic awareness should be expose in the early stage. To ensure they have a solid
basic in traffic awareness and road safety.

Keyword: Road safety, traffic awareness, UTHM Pagoh campus, road safety audit,
questionnaire

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Malaysia as developing country facing all aspect of challenges and road safety is
one of the challenges. The increasing number of vehicles annually parallel to the
number of road accident especially during the festive seasons. Accident can occur
because of many factors. One major factor is human error. Human error is generally
agreed to play some part in a large proportion of road accidents [1]. The other factor
is the suitability of the road design for the users. Proper road design is crucial to
prevent human errors in traffic and less human errors will result in less accidents [2].
Thus, in order to give awareness about road safety to the society, an extensive study
is required to identify the possible causes of accident that may occurs for the study
area especially in newly developed area like Edu Hub Pagoh.

The study focuses on vehicle user in the campus at UTHM Pagoh. The increasing
in number of users had affected the traffic safety in the campus. Safety aspect that
been highlighted is the type of vehicles, the self-awareness toward the safety, road
furniture and road structure. The method that will be used is by distributing
questionnaire to the vehicle users. Next, the road safety audit will also be done to
recognize the safety standard at UTHM Pagoh campus for the purpose of data
analysis. By doing so, we can conclude and suggest the most efficient way to
improve the safety of the traffic inside the campus in the future.

The aim of this case study is to identify the existing road furniture in UTHM
Pagoh campus. The reason is because each road furniture has its own purpose in
contributing to safe traffic environment and also is a main component in producing a
safe traffic environment. ‘Road furniture’ is a term used to describe a variety of
structures found within a road corridor whether the road is a motorway or a country
lane [3]. Next is to suggest the safety improvements on the road. The reason is to
improve the road safety at UTHM Pagoh campus especially on the critical area such
as at the cornering. Lastly, is to determine individual self-awareness toward road
safety, road furniture and road structure. It is because the traffic awareness very
important in order to establish a safe traffic environment around campus.

1.1 Objectives

The aim of this study is to identify existing road furniture in UTHM Pagoh
campus and the following objectives are also achieved:

1. To determine individual self-awareness toward road safety and road

structure among UTHM Pagoh campus residents
2. To suggest the safety improvements on the road
3. To identify the road safety standard in UTHM Pagoh campus by
conducting the road safety audit.

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Geometric design of road

Geometric design of road consists of horizontal alignment, vertical alignment,

sight distance and cross section. The horizontal alignment consists of straight
roadway sections (tangents) connected by horizontal curves, which are normally
circular curves with or without transition (spiral) curves. The basic design features of
horizontal alignment include minimum radius, transition curves, superelevation, and
sight distance [4]. The vertical alignment consists of straight roadway sections
(grades or tangents) connected by vertical curves. The basic design features of
vertical alignment include grades, critical length of grade, climbing lanes, emergency
escape ramps, and vertical curve length [4]. Sight distance is the length of road ahead
visible to drives. Ability of a drive to see ahead is the most important to safe and
efficient operation of a road. Road-cross section will normally consist of the roadway,
drainage features, earthwork profiles and clear zones. The whole cross section,
including the clear zone is defined as the road reserve [5].

2.2 Road safety

Road Safety refers to the safety of the user while using the road. There are
defined rules and procedures to be followed while using the road and it’s mandatory
to abide by them to ensure a safe transit. Such “Road Safety Rules” have been laid by
the respective governments in order to ensure the safety of every road user. Traffic
signals, sign boards, security cameras, dividers, foot paths are some of the tools to
ensure the road safety. Road safety is also a safety measure to reduce the risk of road
accidents and roadside injury because of the driving mistakes and lack of traffic rules
followers. Road safety is one of the most important things that every road user
including pedestrians, motorists, cyclists, vehicle passengers, horse riders and
passengers of on-road public transport need to aware.

2.2.1 Common road safety rules

There is a few of common road safety rules. First, drivers should be in slow
speed while bending or turning on the roads. Next, all road users need to take extra
precaution while going on the over-crowded roads and road junctions. Bikers or
people using two-wheel vehicles must wear helmets of superior quality otherwise
they should never go on the road without helmet. Drivers need to know speeds of the
vehicles should be within the speed limit and slow especially in the areas of school,
hospital, colony, etc. Every vehicle on the road should maintain the right distance
among them to avoid collisions and accidents. Everyone using road should be well
aware of the road signs and must follow rules. Lastly, all the road safety rules and
regulations must be in mind of all road users while traveling.

2.2.2 Contributing Factors for Road Traffic Injuries

First, since multiple injuries include head injuries, the most important
contributing factor in motorcycle fatalities is head injuries. Motorcycle helmets have
been shown to be effective in preventing head injuries to motorcyclist in the event of
the crash [6]. Next, head injuries are the single most important contributing factor for
bicycle fatalities since multiple injuries included head injuries. Bicycle helmet use
has been shown to the most important strategy for the prevention of bicycle related
head injuries [7]. In addition, speed of the vehicle at impact is the single most
important determinant of severity of pedestrian [8]. The higher the speed at the
impact the higher the proportion of fatalities and victims with severe injuries.
Measures to limit speeding (“traffic calming”) and proper use of pedestrian facilities
such as overhead bridges and traffic lights help prevent pedestrian fatalities and
injuries [9]. Lastly, air bags, occupant restraints such as seat belts and child restraints
and side impact protection systems have all been shown to be prevent injuries to
occupants in the event of crash [10].

2.3 Design standard and road classification

2.3.1 Standardisation
 The design of all roads must be standardised reasons for that is to provide a
uniformity the design of roads according to their performance requirements. Next,
provide a consistent safe and reliable road facilities for movement of traffic. Lastly,
provide guide for decisions on road design [11].

2.3.2 Group of roads

Rural and urban areas are defined as areas with population of at least 1000
where building and houses gathered and business activity is prevalent. Rural areas
can be regarded as areas other than urban areas. Roads in urban areas are
characterised by busy pedestrian activities and frequent stopping of vehicles. Lower
design speeds are commonly used for urban roads to take account the nature of traffic
and adjoining land use [11].

2.3.3 Application of Standards

The design standard is classified into seven groups (R6, R5, R4, R3, R2, R1 &
R1a) for rural areas and (U6, U5, U4, U3, U2, U1, & U1a) for urban areas. Road will
require higher, design speeds if being use for long distance travel. While, lower
design is being use for road that are serve local traffic, where the effect of speed is
less significant [11].

2.4 Road Classification

2.4.1 Function of Road

Every road was created with its specific function according its role either in the
national network, regional network or city/town network. The basic function of a
road is transportation. From that it can be separated into two sub-functions and that is
mobility an accessibility [11].

3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Figure 1 shows the activities flow of this study. Data collected from
questionnaire given to both students and staff of UTHM Pagoh campus as these 2
groups are main road user in this study area. An audit also been conducted to
identify the implementation of road safety standard.
 Figure 1: Flowchart of methodology

3.1 Data Collection

3.1.1 Questionnaire

A set questionnaire is distributed to UTHM Pagoh campus residents. The

questionnaire consists of the knowledge of vehicle user about road safety. The
purpose of the questionnaire is to identify individual self-awareness towards road
safety and safety standard in UTHM Pagoh campus and their suggestion on how to
improve the road safety in campus.

3.1.2 Audit

The road safety audit is conducted to identify the road safety standard in
UTHM Pagoh campus. The audit consists of substandard curve and warning sign.
Measuring tape are used to measure the width of road at each road curve.
 Figure 2: Road sign Figure 3: Road sign

Figure 4 : Road sign and walkway Figure 5 : Bus stop sign

 Figure 6 : Road curve Figure 7 : Road curve

Figure 8 : Method of road width

measurement

Figure 2, 3, 4 and 5 shows the warning and road sign at UTHM Pagoh Campus.
Figure 6, 7 and 8 shows the method of audit at road curve.

4.0 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The road safety standard in UTHM Pagoh campus have been identified by
conducting the road safety audit. From the road safety audit, the existing road
sign have been identified which are speed limit, stop sign, pedestrian crossing
sign, left and right curve ahead sign and roundabout sign. From the audit, these
road sign placement are visible for the road users.
 From distributed quesitionnaire, the result stated majority respondents
knowledge about road safety are at moderate which is they know about the road
regulation in general and have basic knowledge in preventing accident.
Furthermore, majority of respondent stated that the road safety standard in
UTHM Pagoh are moderate. Besides that, the respondents also contributed some
suggestions on how to improve the road safety standard in campus.

4.1 RECOMMENDETION

To improve the road safety, some suggestions have been made. Firstly is
placement of convex mirror at the road curve to increase the visibility of
vehicle users. Next is provide the bus lay-by at every bus stop to make sure
the traffic keep flowing and allow drivers from different direction to pass
through. If that placed not suitable for providing a lay-by, the second degree
solution should be implemented by provide a proper bus stop signage.
Besides that, the guard rail also need to be placed at curve to avoid any
further accident. As were shown in the appendix.

5.0 CONCLUSION

As a conclusion, traffic awareness very important in our society. In order to

create a safer traffic environment. The most important issue is hindering the
progress towards effective road safety education, is the lack of evaluation of road
safety education program [12]. Therefore, the traffic awareness should be
implemented in early stages of education. The reason for these is because to let
the children have a solid basic in traffic awareness and road safety to help them
understand the values of safety. So that they will not take safety for granted.

6.0 REFERENCES

[1] Epidemic, Modern. 1978. “What Causes Road Accidents?” British Medical
Journal 2(6147): 1272–74
[2] Slop, M. 1994. “Safetyeffects of Road Design Standards
[3] Scotland, Transport. 2006. Transport Scotland: Road Furniture in the
Countryside: Guidance for Road and Planning Authorities and Statutory
Undertakers
[4] Douglas, R. (2015). Geometric Design. Low-Volume Road Engineering, 29–55.
[5] The United Republic Of Tanzania Ministry Of Works. (2011). Road Geomatric
Design Manual. ROAD GEOMETRIC DESIGN MANUAL, 329.
[6] Kraus JF; Peek C. The impact of two related prevention strategies on head injury
reduction among nonfatally injured motorcycle riders, California, 1991-1993. J
Neurotrauma 1995; 12:873-81.
[7] Thompson RS, Rivara FP, Thompson DC. A case control study of the
effectiveness of bicycle safety helmets. N Engl J Med 1989; 320: 1361-7.
[8] Towner B, Dowswell, Jarvis S. Reducing childhood accidents: The effectiveness
of health promotion interventions, a literature review. Health Education
Authority, London 1993.
[9] Rivara FP. Child pedestrian injuries in United States: Current status of the
problem, potential interventions and future research needs. Am. J. Dis. Child.
1990; 144: 692-6.
[10] Wilson MH, Baker SP, Teret SP, Shock S, Gabarino J, Saving Children: A
guide to Injury Prevention. Oxford University Press 1991.
[11] Road branch of Public Works Depatment Malaysia. (1986). Arahan teknik
(Jalan) 8/86; A guide on geometric design of roads, 113
[12] Dragutinovic, Nina, and Divera Twisk. 2006. “The Effectiveness of Road
Safety Education.” Swov (January)
APPENDIX

Concave mirror suggested location

Guard rail suggested location
Bus stop signage and lay by suggested location