Road Safety Strategies Research Articles

National initiatives on road safety and their implementation

The relevance of the topic is driven by the increasing number of road traffic accidents and the need to improve road safety. National road safety initiatives are an important component of state policy aimed at reducing accidents and saving lives. The effective implementation of these measures can significantly improve road conditions and contribute to the sustainable development of transport infrastructure. The article is dedicated to the analysis of national initiatives in the field of road safety in Ukraine and their implementation in the context of European standards. The main objective of the research is to identify key areas and mechanisms for improving road safety by adapting European experience. Special attention is given to the analysis of legal acts regulating road safety, such as the Law of Ukraine «On Road Traffic» and resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, as well as recommendations for their improvement. The national initiatives being implemented in Ukraine are examined in the context of international cooperation and the adoption of European standards. The article also explores the impact of new technologies and information systems on enhancing safety, such as the use of GPS and automated systems for collecting data on road conditions. Particular attention is paid to the role of national monitoring bodies responsible for overseeing road accidents and developing strategies to improve road safety. The experience of European Union countries, specifically France, Germany, and Italy, regarding the creation and functioning of such bodies is analyzed, and recommendations for adapting these models in Ukraine are provided. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to improving road safety, which includes the joint efforts of the state, the public, and international partners, as well as the integration of advanced technologies. The research findings can be useful for shaping new national road safety strategies and enhancing the effectiveness of existing measures.

Effects of urbanisation and seasons on the relationship between frozen road conditions and road traffic injury: a longitudinal study of national emergency medical service data in South Korea

BackgroundFrozen road conditions could be a factor in road traffic injuries, and seasonality and urbanisation level are potential influencing factors. However, few studies have considered this relationship. Therefore, we examined...

Uninsured Motorists’ Risk Attitudes and Pedestrian Road Safety: Evidence from Metropolitan Lagos, Nigeria

With the increasing prevalence of uninsured vehicles in urban areas, motorists’ behaviours on pedestrian safety are crucial for developing effective road safety strategies. This study investigated the happenings around uninsured motorists’ risk attitudes and pedestrian road safety in metropolitan Lagos, Nigeria. Using the survey approach cum the two-way sampling techniques comprised of purposive and convenience, data were gathered to analyse the behavioural dispositions of uninsured motorists and their implications on pedestrian road safety. The study adopted a structured questionnaire as a research instrument for data collection from a sample population of 209. The data analytical employed was descriptive statistics comprised of simple frequency percentages presented in tabular form and bar chart description. Findings revealed, based on pedestrian opinions, that uninsured motorists display riskier driving behaviours, such speeding and reckless driving pattern; which was found prevalent among commercial uninsured motorists. In addition, insufficient implementation of insurance regulation and socio-economic factors contributed to the proliferation of uninsured vehicles. The study also showcased the descriptive analysis of uninsured motorists’ risk attitudes towards pedestrian road safety. Further finding presented a descriptive analysis of pedestrians’ road safety metrics on Lagos roads. Then, the study accentuates the urgent need for comprehensive policy intervention targeting uninsured motorists, including stricter application of insurance laws, public awareness campaigns, enhanced infrastructure to improve pedestrian safety in urban environment, like metropolitan, Lagos, Nigeria and in similar contexts in other African cities and beyond. Thus, insurance practitioners, especially motor insurance providers, should synergise their efforts to improve the accessibility and affordability of insurance for motorists, particularly, the low-income individuals; by creating flexible payment options, and subsidising insurance premiums. Lastly, local communities should engage with other stakeholders in the transport industry to ensure road safety culture, promoting responsible driving behaviour and encouraging compliance with insurance regulation

Enhancing intersection safety: Testing measures to reduce law violations in Loja (Ecuador)

This study evaluates the effectiveness of measures aimed at reducing traffic violations, specifically focusing on wrong-way driving, at intersections in Loja, Ecuador. The high incidence of accidents at these intersections, often resulting from wrong-way driving and non-compliance with traffic regulations, underscores the critical need for effective strategies to enhance road safety. To address this issue, we adopted a multidisciplinary approach to assess the impact of two specific interventions: the implementation of official warnings and the presence of traffic officers at a selected intersection. Data collection involved recording instances of traffic violations, administering road safety surveys, and monitoring the implementation of these interventions. The post-implementation analysis sought to determine the effect of these measures on driver behavior and overall traffic safety. Our findings indicate that while the interventions succeeded in increasing awareness about traffic violations, they did not produce a significant reduction in undesirable driving behaviors. This suggests that, although the presence of warnings and traffic officers is beneficial in raising awareness, these measures alone may not be sufficient to effect substantial behavioral changes. The research provides valuable insights for the development of more comprehensive road safety strategies and emphasizes the need for further studies to explore and address the underlying causes of traffic violations.

Governmental Expenditures and the Challenges to Improve Road Safety in Brazil

This article addresses governmental actions to improve road safety through the analysis of road traffic fatalities and expenditures in education, engineering, and enforcement (the 3E’s approach) in Brazil between 2011 and 2021 from the Fundo Nacional de Segurança e Educação de Trânsito (Funset), a public fund to support actions in safety, education, and engineering to improve Brazilian road safety. Graphical analysis was conducted, Pearson correlation coefficient was used for the variables of Funset expenditures (lnpay) and road deaths in Brazil (lndeaths), and a linear regression model was built to estimate the variation in road fatalities as a function of Funset expenditures. The results show a decrease in road deaths in Brazil with a slight upward trend and a reduction in Funset expenditures for road safety improvement. There is a positive correlation between the downward trend in Funset public investments in education, engineering, and enforcement and fatalities on roads of 0.79. Funset expenditures are inadequately allocated with low expenditure execution average (16.8%). There are many challenges for the Brazilian public administration to ensure road safety, however, it is important to maintain financial support for road safety strategies to improve it and save lives.

Public support for a safe system approach to reducing motor vehicle crash deaths in the United States

Conventional road safety strategies are yielding diminishing returns. The Safe System approach is based on the premise that human errors will occur on the roadway and that the system should be designed to accommodate these errors, so they do not result in death or serious injury. Elements of the system include the roadway infrastructure, vehicle engineering, and speed management.Political support for U.S. Safe System implementation gained momentum with $5 billion in appropriated funds in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The purpose of this study was to measure public support for Safe System implementation. We fielded a nationally representative survey of US adults from May 4 to June 10, 2022 (N = 2274). We measured whether respondents considered individual- or systems-oriented approaches as the most effective way to prevent traffic deaths. We also assessed support for various roadway interventions and vehicle safety technologies. Most respondents agreed that system-level changes were the most effective way to prevent traffic deaths. Endorsement for system-level changes was significantly higher among younger age groups. Support for roadway improvements and vehicle safety technologies varied according to the type of intervention that was proposed. Public support for a Safe System approach is high, particularly among younger adults, which suggests that the momentum for the movement can be sustained over the long term.

Advancing Road Safety Through Intelligent Vehicle Accident Detection and Reporting Enabled by IoT Innovation

The escalating incidence of road accidents poses a significant challenge to public safety, often exacerbated by delays in emergency response. This research introduces an IoT-based intelligent system designed to revolutionize accident management by providing real-time data and critical information to emergency services. By seamlessly integrating Raspberry Pi and Arduino microcontrollers with advanced sensors such as force-sensitive resistors (FSRs), GPS, and potentially additional sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes, the system accurately detects accidents, assesses their severity, and captures comprehensive data, including passenger images, vehicle details, and precise accident location. Upon impact, the system rapidly transmits this data, along with pre and post-accident images, to a designated emergency response center via a secure and reliable communication network. This swift dissemination of critical information empowers emergency responders to make informed decisions, optimize resource allocation, and prioritize response efforts, ultimately saving lives and minimizing the impact of accidents. The system's intelligence lies in its ability to not only detect accidents but also to assess their severity based on sensor data analysis, enabling a more targeted and efficient emergency response. Furthermore, the system's potential to collect valuable data on accident patterns and causes can contribute to the development of preventive measures and road safety strategies. By leveraging the power of IoT technology, this research aims to significantly enhance road safety and transform accident management practices.

The application of the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) as a multi-criteria analysis tool for road risk assessment: Algeria as a case study

In response to the escalating road safety challenges and the persistent increase in traffic accidents, it is imperative to adopt an integrated approach to address this multifaceted issue effectively. The main objective of this research is to classify or identify high-risk areas by studying the impact of the most significant factors contributing to road accidents. The methodology is based on a hierarchical model of three levels, including the essential factors that increase road risk. Subsequently, a fuzzy hierarchy process (FAHP) is conducted using a fuzzy scale to evaluate and analyse the most influential factors to determine the risk level for each road segment. This approach has been applied to the motorway in Algeria, specifically in the Mascara region, where the road was divided into 83 sections of 100 metres. The study's results revealed that factors related to infrastructure and those associated with drivers had the most significant impact, while environmental factors had less influence on road safety. The studied area exhibited risk levels ranging from moderate to low. The current state analysis of the roads (open to traffic) allows for the evaluation of factors that heighten road risks, this comprehensive evaluation is instrumental in formulating sustainable road safety strategies to mitigate future traffic accidents.

An adapted taxonomy and framework for monitoring road safety strategies: a case study of Morocco

Traditional approaches to monitoring road safety have primarily focused on measuring outcomes such as the number of fatalities and injuries. While effective in capturing overall trends, this macroscopic approach often overlooks the underlying causes of unsafe conditions. Recognizing these limitations, many countries now embrace a safe system-based approach, which emphasizes a holistic view of road safety, considering various elements and their interactions. In response to this shift, this study introduces a five-step framework designed to provide comprehensive coverage and tailored assistance in selecting and utilizing appropriate Road Safety Indicators (RSIs) for more effective performance monitoring. The framework integrates a novel RSIs taxonomy aligned with critical elements of the safe system. It also incorporates an MCDA-based approach to account for decision-makers’ preferences when selecting suitable RSIs. A case study demonstrates the practical application of the proposed steps, including the identification, classification, selection, and development of descriptive sheets for each selected RSI, as well as the continuous updating of the RSIs set. The findings offered valuable insights into the commonly used indicators in international road safety reports, while also revealing the limitations of currents metrics and data in fully capturing critical elements and hierarchical level within the road safety management system.

Некоторые особенности осмотра места происшествия по уголовным делам о нарушении правил дорожного движения и эксплуатации транспортных средств

Currently, in conditions of intensive development of infrastructure, the main component of which is transport, one of the main tasks of the state remains to ensure road safety. Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1-r dated 08.01.2018 approved the Road Safety Strategy in the Russian Federation for 2018-2024, which defines the foundations for the formation and implementation of state policy in the field of road safety at various levels (federal, regional, municipal, intersectoral). Improving road safety and striving to achieve zero deaths in road accidents in 2030 is its goal. For 2024, the social risk indicator has been set as a target – no more than 4 deaths per 100,000 people. The article analyzes some features of the inspection of the scene of an accident in criminal cases of violation of traffic rules and operation.

Assessing Road Safety in Morocco’s Regions from 2014 to 2022: A DEA-MPI Benchmarking Analysis

Assessing road safety performance in various regions of a country is crucial for improving overall road safety conditions and reducing the global mortality rate. This study employs the data-envelopment-analysis-based Malmquist productivity index (DEA-MPI) to comprehensively assess the progress of road safety performance in different regions of Morocco over time. Using a dataset spanning from 2014 to 2022, which contains data on road accidents, fatalities, injuries, the number of vehicles, and road traffic, this article evaluates the efficiency evolution across Morocco’s twelve regions. The study results show that the improvement of Morocco’s road safety performance during the studied period is unsatisfying and far from reaching the objectives of the current road safety strategy, which aims to reduce the number of fatalities by 50% by 2026. Moreover, the Malmquist productivity index (MPI) approach, which decomposes total factor productivity change into efficiency and technical changes, revealed that neither component shows a consistent trend throughout the studied period. This indicates that performance progress over time is insufficient and falls short of expectations, underscoring the immediate need for both technical and managerial improvements to address the current road safety challenges effectively.

TariqAmn's Innovative Road Safety Paradigm through Smart Technology

In response to escalating road safety challenges within Algeria, marked by rising traffic volumes and urban development, the "TariqAmn Algeria" initiative emerges as a groundbreaking approach in traffic management. This study delineates the development and deployment of this innovative system, which leverages intelligent traffic signs, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging, using laser light to measure distances) radar, and proactive brake control technologies, embedded within a robust traffic management framework. The system's dynamic adaptation to real-time traffic conditions and its enforcement of speed compliance are central to its design. Rigorous evaluations through SUMO (Simulation of Urban Mobility, a traffic simulation software) simulations and field tests in high-risk urban settings affirm its efficacy, demonstrating a 60% reduction in traffic incidents and a 50% reduction in speeding violations. By marrying local cultural insights with cutting-edge technology, "TariqAmn Algeria" not only enhances immediate road safety but also establishes a new paradigm in traffic management systems. The findings illuminate the significant scalability potential of the system, promising broader applications in enhancing road safety and adherence to traffic regulations across various regions, such as densely populated urban areas, high-traffic corridors, and accident-prone black spots. This initiative underscores the critical role of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in modern road safety strategies and sets a precedent for future technological advancements in the field.

The integrated methodology for assessing the safety of the road network infrastructure in Romania.

Abstract Romania has the highest road fatality rate in the EU and the lowest perception of road quality. This study presents the implementation of a preliminary procedure and tools provided by the European Commission for the safety assessment of the DN2-E85 road infrastructure, which covers 472.23 km. This road was selected due to the high number of road deaths between 2017 and 2022. The research focuses on the application of both proactive and reactive methodologies as required by Directive (EU) 2019/1936, which requires full road network safety assessments by 2024, with subsequent assessments every five years. The proactive methodology assesses the built-in road safety of the road infrastructure based on design parameters, while the reactive methodology is based on historical data on accidents and traffic flows. The integration of these methodologies allows the classification of road segments into five risk levels. Preliminary results indicate that approximately 59% of the length of the DN2-E85 road is classified as “very high priority”, highlighting significant safety deficiencies, which require actions to immediately improve traffic safety. This study highlights the need for systematic road infrastructure safety assessments and prioritisation of high-risk segments to reduce road fatalities and improve overall road safety. The findings serve as crucial information for road safety auditors and the Romanian Road Authority - ARR, supporting the identification of high-risk areas and the allocation of resources to improve safety. In addition, this research provides a basic basis for future adaptations of road infrastructure safety assessment guidelines, considering the specific characteristics of national and county roads. By aligning with EU directives and national standards, the study aims to increase road safety and reduce the incidence of serious accidents in Romania. The insights gained from this research are essential for developing effective road safety strategies and implementing remedial measures that address the most dangerous segments of the road network.

Subjective assessment of traffic rules compliance in Bulgaria: Role of personality and driving style

It is generally accepted that driving is safer when the rules are obeyed. Therefore, the pursuit of greater compliance with traffic rules is often seen as an intermediate goal in ensuring road safety. The article presents two studies that aim to investigate the subjective assessment of traffic rules compliance and the role of personality and behavioural factors such as anxiety, sensation seeking, driving anger, aggressive driving, and risky driving (Study 1; N=1433) on the one hand, and driving style (Study 2; N=456) on the other hand. The studies also examine the differences in traffic rules compliance by age, sex, driving experience, and negative driving outcomes such as registered violations, driving licence suspensions, and involvement traffic accidents. Self-report methods are used to assess personality factors, driving style, traffic rules compliance, and negative driving outcomes. The results show a generally positive assessment of compliance with traffic rules among the participants, with the majority reporting compliance in their daily driving behaviour. Study 1 indicates that all personality factors investigated are significant predictors of traffic rules compliance. Study 2 demonstrates that the risky style, the irrational style, the distress-reduction style, and the patient and careful style are significant predictors of traffic rule compliance. Demographic differences are also observed, with women being significantly more likely than men to perceive themselves as compliant drivers. In terms of negative driving outcomes, both studies demonstrate that individuals with a record of driving violations in the last three years, a suspended driving licence, and involvement in a traffic accident are significantly less likely to rate themselves as compliant. The results can contribute to the development of prevention programmes and road safety strategies to promote safer driving behaviour.

Enhancing Road Safety Strategies through Applying Combined Treatments for Different Crash Severity

This research examines the utility of combined crash modification factors (CMFs) in minimizing crash severity at urban roundabouts. Conventional CMFs typically assess the influence of singular interventions on road safety. However, traffic dynamics and the interactions among multiple safety measures necessitate a more comprehensive strategy. This study introduces a novel methodology for developing integrated CMFs that accounts for the interactive effects of multiple safety measures, providing a comprehensive understanding of their collective impact on road safety. The investigation utilized data from 16 urban roundabouts in Amman, Jordan, from 2015 to 2021. Regression models have been employed to develop individual and combined CMFs for various geometric and traffic characteristics, such as entry and exit widths, speed limits, and weaving patterns. Key findings indicate that interventions, such as reducing speed limits, modifying entry and exit widths, and adjusting weaving lengths, significantly improve safety. The analysis identifies hazardous roundabouts and proposes effective single and combined treatments to mitigate crash risks. This study highlights the importance of considering multiple treatments simultaneously to improve the predictive accuracy of safety assessments and supports the development of more effective road safety strategies tailored to specific crash types and severities. The approach demonstrates a significant potential to enhance road safety analysis and decision-making, ultimately contributing to safer road environments.

Predicting Number of Vehicles Involved in Rural Crashes Using Learning Vector Quantization Algorithm

Roads represent very important infrastructure and play a significant role in economic, cultural, and social growth. Therefore, there is a critical need for many researchers to model crash injury severity in order to study how safe roads are. When measuring the cost of crashes, the severity of the crash is a critical criterion, and it is classified into various categories. The number of vehicles involved in the crash (NVIC) is a crucial factor in all of these categories. For this purpose, this research examines road safety and provides a prediction model for the number of vehicles involved in a crash. Specifically, learning vector quantization (LVQ 2.1), one of the sub-branches of artificial neural networks (ANNs), is used to build a classification model. The novelty of this study demonstrates LVQ 2.1’s efficacy in categorizing accident data and its ability to improve road safety strategies. The LVQ 2.1 algorithm is particularly suitable for classification tasks and works by adjusting prototype vectors to improve the classification performance. The research emphasizes how urgently better prediction algorithms are needed to handle issues related to road safety. In this study, a dataset of 564 crash records from rural roads in Calabria between 2017 and 2048, a region in southern Italy, was utilized. The study analyzed several key parameters, including daylight, the crash type, day of the week, location, speed limit, average speed, and annual average daily traffic, as input variables to predict the number of vehicles involved in rural crashes. The findings revealed that the “crash type” parameter had the most significant impact, whereas “location” had the least significant impact on the occurrence of rural crashes in the investigated areas.

Advancing road safety strategy development: A data-driven multi-objective optimisation integrated approach

Road traffic accidents pose a significant global health concern, with an alarming 1.19 million fatalities reported in 2021. Traditionally, strategies to address this challenge have relied on expert input and subjective evaluations. This study introduces an adaptive and novel two-stage model that minimizes expert interference by integrating multi-objective optimisation with association rule mining. This innovative approach provides a systematic framework to enhance the efficiency of decision-making and optimise resource allocation outcomes in road infrastructure management, facilitating adaptability to diverse objectives. A case study in Utrecht from iRAP validates the efficiency of the approach, demonstrating significant improvements across various objectives by using the non-dominant sorting genetic algorithm and enabling road local authorities to tailor investment plans to their specific road network characteristics by crash database mining. However, the methodology requires refinement, particularly in identifying risk levels considering the interactive effects of multiple road attributes. In conclusion, while representing a substantial advancement, further refinement is necessary to fully realize its potential in enhancing road safety.

Cross-Cultural Behaviors: A Comparative Analysis of Driving Behaviors in Pakistan and China

When analyzing road safety across cultural boundaries, driver behavior is a crucial component to consider. Given that driver behavior directly affects both the likelihood of accidents and the severity of their implications, it is crucial to comprehend and analyze it. The present study examined the differences in dangerous, aberrant, and positive driving behaviors across China and Pakistan. The effects of these behaviors on road traffic accidents were also considered. In the study, 1253 respondents completed a questionnaire package consisting of the Dula Dangerous Driving Index (DDDI), Aberrant Driving Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ), Positive Driving Behavior Scale (PDBS), and items related to demographics. Generalized linear models were utilized to compare and determine the factors responsible for dangerous driving behaviors. Mean scores for DBQ and PDBS items were compared. Finally, binary logistic regression models were used to find the factors responsible for traffic accidents across both countries. The results indicated that aggressive and risky driving predicted traffic accidents in both countries, followed by errors and violations, which also predicted traffic accidents significantly. Positive driving behaviors predicted accidents negatively in both samples. Furthermore, it was found that Chinese drivers compared to Pakistani drivers are less aggressive and risk-taking and commit fewer violations and errors while driving. To increase road safety in Pakistan, traffic laws must be strictly enforced uniformly, and violations must result in severe penalties, i.e., demerit points or cancellation of a driver’s license. Programs for road safety awareness and education must be expanded. Employing national culturally concentrated road safety strategies may be a more effective way to encourage safe driving behaviors.

Evaluating Distraction Safety Performance Indicators in an Urban Area of a Low- or Middle-Income Country: A Case Study of Yaoundé, Cameroon

Distracted driving is a major cause of road traffic crashes in Yaoundé. This is partly due to the scarcity of enforcement and a lack of evidence and investigation using the distraction safety performance indicator (SPI), hindering evidence-based interventions. This study aimed to address this evidence gap by evaluating the distraction SPI using a proven methodology. Data on distracted driving (handheld mobile device; interaction; eating/smoking/drinking) were collected from roadside observations on 36 randomly selected road sections carefully spread to cover the city. SPIs were computed and weighted with traffic volume to ensure the representativeness of the values. A total of 41,004 drivers were observed (38,248 in cars; 1116 in vans; 977 in trucks; 663 in buses). The prevalence of distracted driving in Yaoundé is 13.69% for the three distractions type combined. The prevalence is 7.84% for interaction, 4.89% for handled mobile device usage and 0.96% for eating/smoking/drinking. Leveraging these insights, a seven year (2024–2030) fighting strategy aimed at halving the prevalence was developed. The strategy contains interventions including legislation/enforcement, which have been proven to be effective. This study, pioneered in Yaoundé, provides stakeholders with evidence of the issue and measures to implement and can also be used when developing a road safety strategy. Future research should consider investigation at national level.

Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Road Traffic Accidents in Major Californian Cities Using a Geographic Information System

Road traffic accidents have increased globally, which has led to significant challenges to urban safety and public health. This concerning trend is also evident in California, where major cities have seen a rise in accidents. This research conducts a spatio-temporal analysis of traffic accidents across the four major Californian cities—Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Jose—over five years. It achieves this through an integration of Geographic Information System (GIS) functionalities (space–time cube analysis) with non-parametric statistical and spatial techniques (DBSCAN, KDE, and the Getis-Ord Gi* method). Our findings from the temporal analysis showed that the most accidents occurred in Los Angeles over five years, while San Diego and San Jose had the least occurrences. The severity maps showed that the majority of accidents in all cities were level 2. Moreover, spatio-temporal dynamics, captured via the space–time cube analysis, visualized significant accident hotspot locations. The clustering of accidents using DBSCAN verified the temporal and hotspot analysis results by showing areas with high accident rates and different clustering patterns. Additionally, integrating KDE with the population density and the Getis-Ord Gi* method explained the relationship between high-density regions and accident occurrences. The utilization of GIS-based analytical techniques in this study shows the complex interplay between accident occurrences, severity, and demographic factors. The insight gained from this study can be further used to implement effective data-driven road safety strategies.