A Novel Methodology for Planning Urban Road Safety Interventions

Improving road safety is a major challenge for urban administrations due to the high frequency of accidents and their associated social costs. This study presents a methodology that combines historical accident data analysis with a proactive risk assessment approach to enhance decision-making in roa...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Emanuele Toraldo, Nicolò Novati, Damiano Rossi, Misagh Ketabdari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/4/1993
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Summary:Improving road safety is a major challenge for urban administrations due to the high frequency of accidents and their associated social costs. This study presents a methodology that combines historical accident data analysis with a proactive risk assessment approach to enhance decision-making in road safety planning. Using the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the proposed framework identifies high-risk locations and estimates the benefits of planned safety interventions. A key innovation of this methodology is the integration of cost–benefit analysis to prioritize interventions, ensuring optimal resource allocation. The approach was tested in a medium-sized Italian city where it helped identify critical areas and assess the potential impact of various safety measures, such as intersection redesign and traffic-calming strategies. The results demonstrated a significant potential to reduce accidents and associated social costs, offering a scalable model for urban road safety planning. By integrating data-driven insights with proactive evaluation, this methodology supports urban administrations in implementing effective, targeted interventions that contribute to Vision Zero goals.
ISSN:2076-3417