Automated vehicles: How do they relate to vision zero
Book chapter, 2022

The Swedish Transport Administration (STA) work to reduce the number of suicides in the transport system. Fatalities, i.e., on roads, railways, and bridges, originate from either accidents or suicides, natural death excluded. Knowing the correct manner of death is needed to work with optimal prevention strategies. The aims are to separate fatalities due to suicides, follow the development, and implement measures for suicide prevention. Methods are developed for suicide classification and criteria for the selection in which suicides were suspected. Fatalities in level one and two of five were classified as suicides. Data from the STA's databases are used and so are data from the psychosocial investigations done by a trained investigator in the topic and with clinical experience from counselling at hospitals. 2129 persons died on the roads in Sweden, 10% (206 persons) were classified as suicides. 336 persons died after being hit by trains, 85% (284 persons) were suicides. 130 persons died by jumping from bridges. The number of suicides increases with population density. Suicide in the transport system is a major problem; firstly personal tragedies, it is also a work environment problem for truck and train drivers and for the emergency staff. It generates delays and costs for passenger and cargo transport. By analyzing the results of countermeasures in the form of obstructive barriers, the physical environment can be improved and high-risk areas can be accentuated. Restricting access to the means of suicide is important in suicide prevention. Strategies for the STA include suicide prevention in the design of new roads, railways, and bridges, as well as by identifying and reducing existing high-risk locations. Sharing the results with other authorities and organizations and cooperation within suicide prevention missions are vital for the enhancement of the overall suicide prevention work in society.

Physical barriers

Suicide classification

Suicides on bridges

Countermeasures against suicides

Psychosocial examination

Jumping

Transport system

Suicide prevention

Suicides

Suicides on roads

Transport-related

Suicides on railways

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Author

Anders Lie

Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2), Vehicle Engineering and Autonomous Systems

Claes Tingvall

Monash University

Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2), Vehicle Safety

AFRY

Maria Håkansson

ÅF Pöyry AB

Ola Boström

Veoneer HoldCo, LLC

The Vision Zero Handbook: Theory, Technology and Management for a Zero Casualty Policy

1057-1071
9783030765057 (ISBN)

Subject Categories

Psychiatry

Vehicle Engineering

DOI

10.1007/978-3-030-76505-7_42

More information

Latest update

10/26/2023