Identification of Hazardous Locations in Regional Road Network – Comparison of Reactive and Proactive Approaches

Abstract

The study objective is to compare three approaches to identification of hazardous road locations: (1) Traditional reactive accident-based approach, resulting in identification of accident black spots; (2) State-of-the-art empirical Bayes method using accident prediction model, which identifies critical locations, i.e. both real and potential black spots; (3) Proactive “preliminary” road safety inspection, identifying the risk factors, which may potentially increase accident occurrence and severity. Regional rural road network (approx. 1000km) in South Moravia, Czech Republic was used. The methods were applied in identification and ranking of hazardous road locations in the studied network. It was found that black spot approach is not a suitable method, especially in low-volume road network with scattered accident occurrence. On the other hand risk index, based on road safety inspection, is a valid alternative, with ranking performance comparable to state-of-the-art empirical Bayes method. In addition both empirical Bayes and risk index methods are compared with respect to their data requirements. Their mutual application is recommended as a suitable replacement of traditional black spot management, as well as a step forward to a proactive road network safety management.