ROAD USER BEHAVIORS AND PHYSICAL FACTORS AFFECTING ROAD SAFETY IN URBAN SCHOOL ZONES: A CASE STUDY OF MUEANG DISTRICT, PHITSANULOK PROVINCE

Abstract

     This study aimed to investigate road user behavior, physical roadway characteristics, and road safety conditions in front of schools in urban communities in Mueang District, Phitsanulok Province, Thailand. Five schools were selected as study sites: St. Nicholas School, Tessaban 4 School (Wat Thammachak Community), Anuban St. Paul School, Wat Chan Tawan Tok Mittraphap 73 School, and Wat Yang (Mee Manna Wittaya) School. Data were collected through observations of pedestrian and driver behavior, vehicle speed measurements, and road safety audits (RSAs). The findings revealed differences in road user behavior and safety conditions across the study sites. St. Nicholas School exhibited comparatively safer road-use patterns, whereas Wat Yang (Mee Manna Wittaya) School had several deficiencies in roadway infrastructure and safety facilities. Speed analysis showed that the 85th-percentile vehicle speeds at four of the five study sites exceeded 30 km/h, indicating a need for speed management measures in these school zones. Risky behaviors, including mobile phone use while crossing the road and while driving, were also observed. Considered alongside the RSA findings, these observations suggest that physical roadway characteristics, traffic management measures, and road user behavior are associated with road safety conditions in front of schools. Based on these findings, the study recommends a maximum speed limit of 25 km/h in school zones, alongside improvements to pedestrian facilities, the installation of traffic-calming devices, and initiatives to promote safe road user behavior. These measures could improve the safety of vulnerable road users and support the development of safer transportation environments around schools.