Road traffic crashes and emergency response optimization: a geo-spatial analysis using closest facility and location-allocation methods

Abstract

Increased occurrence of road traffic crashes in Kano metropolis has resulted in a steady loss of lives, injuries, and increased people's risk exposure. This study looked into the emergency response to road traffic crashes in Kano, with a view to improving efficiency by developing linkages and synergy between Emergency Healthcare Facilities (EHCF), ambulances, and crash hotspots. The geographical location and attributes of the major EHCF, crash hotspots along highway intersections, and the two existent ambulances at the Kano State Fire Service (KSFS) and Federal Road Safety Corp head offices (FRSC) were obtained using GPS surveying. Road traffic network data (vector format) was digitized from satellite image, from which two major road classes (highways and minor roads) were identified, as well as their respective speed limits. The length and speed constraints were used to calculate time distances. Nearest Neighbor and Network (closest facility, shortest route, and location-allocation) analyses were carried out. Location-allocation analysis was to determine based on defined criteria the best locations to allocate EHCF or ambulance for optimum coverage. The results demonstrated that EHCF, ambulances, and crash places have different distribution patterns with almost no linkages. Closest ambulance facility analysis revealed the FRSC ambulance takes 9.41 minutes to arrive to crash spot 18 (Maiduguri Road, following NNPC) and 7.52 minutes to arrive at AKTH, the nearest EHCF. Comparatively, getting to Court road incident scene (spot 16) and IRPH as the closest EHCF takes about 3 times the time it takes to get to spot 18 and 4 times the time it takes to get to AKTH. This means that practically almost all victims in the city suffocate before reaching to the hospital. This signifies that, in cases of demand for CPR at the incident scene, there are higher likelihood of dying as it is expected to be provided within the first four minutes after the crash. Based on a maximum of 4 minutes impedance cutoff from all directions towards the occurrences areas, location-allocation analysis found eight new locations to maximize coverage and improve efficiency. It is concluded that current road traffic crash emergency response system has been determined to be ineffective. As a result, more ambulances should be strategically placed to improve emergency response times.