Public transport in metropolitan areas — a danger for unprotected road users

The risks associated with bus and tram traffic (Am. cable car) for unprotected road users, within a well-defined geographic area, were analyzed in a descriptive study using data from the hospital's special traffic injury register and from all other available sources of crash and injury data. The risk of suffering a non-fatal injury was four times higher per vehicle-kilometer for tram traffic compared with bus traffic, while the risk of death was 9–15 times higher for tram traffic. The injury incidence in relation to age had a biphasic shape with the highest risks for young and old people. However, the tram injury rate for men was highest for middle aged men (30–49 years at age). Three quarters of those injured both in bus and tram incidents sustained their injuries at bus or tram stops, or at pedestrian crossings. One third of the injury cases with trams, and one quarter with buses, occurred in the dark. The greater danger associated with trams for unprotected road users is a factor worth to be considered. However, injury-reducing measures, e.g. in the vehicle design and in the traffic area, especially at and near tram and bus stops, might reduce the injuries caused by both trams and buses.