Avaliação do nível de obediência em cruzamentos semaforizados com e sem marcação de área de conflito na cidade de Natal - RN

Abstract

In recent years, the implementation in the city of Natal - RN of a specific type of horizontal signaling called Conflict Area Marking (CAM) has been observed. This marking is painted yellow in color on the pavement and is regulated by the Brazilian Traffic Code (BTC), without, however, being obligatory to use at intersections, whether they have traffic light or not. Although it is not legally required to use this type of brand, the Municipal Department of Urban Mobility (STTU) of the Municipality of Natal applied this signage at the intersections of the main thoroughfares of the city, ie corridors in which traffic is usually very intense. Such a decision was not subsidized by previous studies and no subsequent analyzes were carried out to establish the degree of impact of this visual contrasting signaling on drivers. Therefore, the objective of this academic work is to compare the behavior of the user to traffic in crossings with and without CAM and, consequently, to indicate to the authorities with jurisdiction over the roads if there is indeed a relevant benefit in continuing to adopt the CAM in Natal. Similar to the precariousness of studies at the municipal level, there are few available references on the adoption of CAM in the bibliography, so that conducting this research will help fill this gap in traffic signaling literature in urban areas. The work was based on the date of infraction and traffic flow of the electronic surveillance by photosensors and, with this information, it was inferred that the visual reinforcement exerted by this signaling in fact alerts the user to withdraw the vehicle from the conflict area of the intersection, leading to the reduction of infractions in general.