ROAD ACCIDENT ANALYSIS USING Q-GIS AND ROAD SAFETY AUDITING

Fazil Fayaz1, Bharat Reddy E2, Ashraf Hussain3, Abdullah Raza4

1FazilFayaz, Dept. of civil Engineering, Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bengaluru
2Bharat Reddy E, Dept. of civil Engineering, Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bengaluru
3Ashraf Hussain, Dept. of civil Engineering, Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bengaluru
4Abdullah Raza, Dept. of civil Engineering, Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bengaluru

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Abstract - This study aims to utilize Geographic safety issues and deficiencies in road design, layout, and
Information Systems (GIS) to analyze and identify infrastructure. Through comprehensive road safety audits,
intersections with the hotspot identification, incorporating professionals can assess the safety performance of existing
road safety auditing principles. By integrating spatial data on road networks or proposed design projects. These audits
road accidents, traffic patterns, and various relevant factors, involve a systematic review of road geometry, traffic control
the Q- GIS approach provides a comprehensive framework for measures, signage, pedestrian and cyclist facilities, and other
understanding and visualizing the spatial distribution of fatal factors that influence road safety. By conducting road safety
accidents. The research involves collecting and processing audits, potential hazards and risks can be identified and
data from multiple sources, including accident reports from remedial measures can be recommended to enhance safety.
police stations, significant road information of signs, markings
etc. while also considering road safety auditing guidelines and
practices. Through spatial analysis techniques such as hotspot 1.1 Need for study
analysis and network analysis, the study identifies high-risk Accident analysis is crucial for understanding the causes and
intersections and assesses the factors factors contributing to road accidents. It helps identify
contributing to increased fatality rates, and suggest remedial patterns, trends, and specific areas of concern. By examining
measures. accident data, transportation professionals can assess road
Key Words: Hot spot, Accident, Q-GIS, Signs and Markings, safety performance, determine the effectiveness of existing
road safety. measures, and make informed decisions to develop targeted
interventions. The insights gained from accident analysis aid
in improving road safety, reducing accident rates, and
enhancing transportation systems overall.
1.INTRODUCTION
1.2 Literature review
Accidents on roads pose a significant threat to public safety
and can have severe social, economic, and environmental The extensive literature review was carried out by
impacts. To mitigate these risks and enhance road safety, referring standard journals, reference books and conference
thorough accident analysis and road safety auditing are proceedings. The major work carried out by the different
crucial. In recent years, Geographic Information Systems researchers is summarized below.
(GIS) software, particularly QGIS, has emerged as a powerful
1). Professor Leni Stephen et al The study focused on
tool for analyzing and visualizing accident data. When
identifying and prioritizing accident-prone areas, also known
combined with road safety auditing techniques, QGIS enables as black spots, using an ArcGIS application. It involved
professionals to gain valuable insights into accident patterns, conducting a thorough survey of various road characteristics
identify high-risk areas, and develop effective measures to such as width, shoulder, surface type and condition,
prevent future accidents. obstruction, signage, drainage, and visibility. The analysis
provided a zoomed-in view of the prioritized black spots and
Accident analysis involves the systematic examination of offered recommendations for addressing the issues at each
road crashes, including their causes, contributing factors, identified location.
and consequences. By analyzing accident data,
transportation planners, engineers, and policymakers can 2). Ghulam ali shajabak hsh,et al In Mashhad city, Iran, a case
identify patterns, hotspots, and trends that provide valuable study was conducted to investigate the impact of Jio
information for improving road safety. QGIS, an open-source information technology and spatial statistical analysis on
GIS software, offers a range of tools and capabilities to road accidents. The objective was to conduct a
analyze accident data spatially. It allows professionals to comprehensive analysis, including examining factors such as
map and visualize accidents, overlay them with other spatial population density, nearest neighbor distance, K function
data layers, and conduct spatial statistical analyses. analysis, and utilizing ArcGIS. The aim was to gain a deeper
understanding of accidents in intricate urban networks. The
Road safety auditing complements accident analysis by study's final outcomes comprised analyses of accident
providing a proactive approach to identifying potential patterns, examining the causes of fatalities, and prioritizing

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areas Traf
with fic
high accident rates based on injuries and fatalities. Safety Audit process by employing GIS-based software called
Gram++. The study focused on a 3-kilometer road segment
3) V.prasanna kumar et al An assessment was conducted in along National Route 17, between Panvel and Iidapur. The
Thiruvananthapuram, a city in South India, which researchers performed digitization of road features and
highlighted the issue of inadequate land development and created a database to facilitate analysis of the layered road
transportation leading to congestion and accidents. The segments in a systematic manner.
study utilized spatial clustering analysis and hotspot
identification using ArcGIS, Moran's I method, GETIS OrdGI, 8. ). Kohinoor Kar et al. conducted a comprehensive study
on Road Safety Audits (RSA) in various locations across
and kernel density estimation to analyze accident patterns.
Arizona. This paper presents an overview of the Arizona RSA
The research specifically focused on accidents during both
program, highlighting the issues and recommendations
monsoon and non-monsoon periods, considering factors identified by the researchers who have conducted numerous
such as time, proximity to regions, and educational audits. The success rate of RSA in preventing accidents is
institutions. The study concluded by identifying different noted to be better in many places across the United States
types of accidents based on temporal and spatial aspects. and globally.
The results can be effectively utilized for traffic management
and accident reduction strategies. 9). Sanjay Kumar Singh et al. conducted research on road
traffic accidents in India, focusing on the issues and challenges at
4) Ishan Crada et al. conducted a study to address a similar both national and state levels. The study analyzed data regarding
issue by proposing an approach that utilizes accident records fatal accidents, injuries, age and gender distribution, monthly and
while excluding factual and preventative information. The hourly patterns, and causes of accidents. The findings revealed
research focused on a case study in Pilam town, evaluating the that male fatalities were higher than female, accidents peaked in
variability of variables and analytical techniques in non-urban May, June, December, and January, and most accidents occurred
settings. Data collection was consolidated from hotspot areas and between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM. Driver faults accounted for 78%
police stations, with hotspot areas chosen as a preferable option of the accidents. While road safety solutions may vary across
for data gathering. The study aimed to determine the best states with high motorization rates, some fundamental principles
approach for analyzing the collected data and mapping accidents, remain the same, such as good road design, traffic management,
employing various statistical and geographical analysis improved vehicle standards, speed control, and the use of
techniques, including separation, autocorrelation, and kernel seatbelts, helmets, and alcohol limits
density examination. GIS was utilized as a tool to enhance road
.10). Yannis George and his team conducted research to
safety.
investigate the severity of road accidents based on vehicle types.
5). Mohammad Bahar Ali Rabbani et al. conducted studies They analyzed a dataset of 5931 recorded accidents and
that employed spatial analysis and statistical methods to developed mathematical models using normal probability
investigate the spatial distribution of local traffic accidents. distribution. A total of 15 statistical models were created, one for
The research focused on examining traffic collisions in the each vehicle type and for each accident individually. The findings
Moyatabad neighborhood of Peshawar. The main objective of of the study have practical implications for improving road
the study was to utilize advanced statistical techniques to safety. Future research could explore additional parameters like
identify accident hotspots in the Nistal area using ARCGIS road geometry, traffic conditions, and regional factors in Greece.
10.2. A system was developed to analyze the spatial pattern 11). Tessa Anderson utilized kernel density estimation to
of traffic accidents and identify hotspot clusters in ArcGIS. identify hotspots of road accidents, but noted that the
The study employed the NHA special color studying suitability of this method depends on the intended outcome.
algorithm in CrimeStat and interpolation techniques such as If the analysis focuses solely on road accident data,
Kriging, a geostatistical method. The results obtained suggest alternative methods may be more appropriate, given the
that illegal parking violations and traffic rule violations range of tools available in ArcGIS.
contribute to accidents in these hotspots, emphasizing the
importance of enforcing traffic regulations. 12). MD Ali Aghajani et al. conducted a study on the
incidence of accidents in provinces characterized by a
6). In their study, Ibrahim Yilmaz et al. georeferenced mountainous climate and rainfall exceeding 500mm. The
tabular data related to highways within the administrative analysis of accident hotspots revealed that these regions
boundaries of Afyonkarahisar. They converted the text data exhibit clustered concentrations, albeit with relatively lower
into a tabular format and conducted investigations using two weights.
different methods of kernel density analysis. The study
focused on identifying accident hotspots and examined the 13). Tummala Bhart Kumar et al. conducted a road safety
reliability of the method in reflecting problematic areas such audit to enhance road safety on NH 65. The study aimed to
as intersections and crossroads. Previous studies have identify design flaws, accident-prone areas, and the impact of
primarily used GIS for visualization purposes, while this roadway geometry on the highway. The findings led to
research delved into deeper analysis. recommendations for improving road geometry, significant
signage, and markings, as well as the provision of appropriate
7). In this paper, Mazhar Sayed et al. described the lighting for night travel.
utilization of Geographic Information System (GIS) and the
development of a traffic plan. They aimed to enhance the

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 14) and
Devang land
G Patel et al. conducted a road safety audit on State Highway use. Overlay the accident data onto the base map to visualize
83 and State Highway 188, which are major highways in the distribution and density of accidents. Apply different
Gujarat connecting to NH 8 with high traffic volume. The symbology techniques to represent accident severity or
study aimed to analyze the land use pattern, identify causes types.
of accidents, and pinpoint major accident-prone areas.
Through data collection and analysis, it was concluded that  Hotspot Analysis: Utilize QGIS tools to perform
the main cause of accidents was driver error, along with hotspot analysis, such as Kernel Density Estimation or
factors such as poor road geometry, high traffic density, and Spatial Autocorrelation analysis. These tools identify clusters
environmental conditions. The researchers suggested or concentration of accidents in specific geographic areas,
remedial measures including implementing a proper highlighting potential high-risk zones.
licensing system and improving lighting to reduce these
accidents.
15) Alvydas Pi Kunas et al. conducted an economic Methodology for Accident Analysis using RSA (Road Safety
evaluation of road safety measures in Lithuania, considering the Auditing):
safety benefits and associated costs. They utilized a traffic
planning process that encompassed various activities aimed at  Utilizing the outputs from Q-GIS:
providing efficient transportation services while considering
economic, social, and environmental factors. The study included o Determining the accident-prone areas.
the development of structural plans, transportation plans, area
plans, and traffic management strategies. Additionally, a road
safety audit was performed to assess existing road features at
different stages and highlight their benefits. The overarching
objective was to enhance road safety in Lithuania, which
previously lacked a road safety auditing system.
2. Objectives

 The identification of blackspots and the analysis of o Modelling a way to reduce the accidents
accidents using QGIS involves examining accident
data in order to identify areas with a high o Providing a better experience to the road
concentration of accidents. users which include students, office going
people etc.
 Investigate highway geometrics and silent features
of road for accident reduction.

3. Methodology

Methodology for Accident Analysis using QGIS:

 Data Collection: Gather comprehensive accident

data, including location coordinates, accident type, date and
time, road conditions, and any other relevant variables.
Obtain this data from reliable sources such as police reports,
accident databases, or transportation authorities.

 Data Preparation: Clean and organize the accident

data for analysis. Ensure that all necessary attributes are RSA (
properly formatted and georeferenced. Convert the data into Road
a compatible format (e.g., CSV, Excel) that can be imported safety
into QGIS.

 Import Data into QGIS: Open QGIS software and

import the accident data into a new project. Use the
appropriate data import function or plugin to load the
accident dataset. Ensure that the data is projected correctly
onto the map canvas to enable accurate spatial analysis.

 Spatial Visualization: Create a base map using

relevant spatial layers, such as road networks, intersections,

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Auditin
g ) Risks
Finding:
 Reduced visibility due to obstruction by covered
sign boards

 Increased potential for driver confusion and

disorientation

 Higher risk of incorrect manoeuvres or decisions by

drivers

 Impaired ability to follow traffic signs, warnings,

and instructions

 Elevated chances of accidents or collisions at

intersections with covered sign boards

 Reduced effectiveness of traffic management and

guidance systems

Remedies
Broken Divider  Regular maintenance and inspection of sign boards
to ensure they are not covered or obstructed by any
Risks objects.
 Increased risk of head-on collisions
 Implementing a system for reporting and
 Reduced lane discipline addressing covered sign boards promptly.

 Confusion and uncertainty among drivers  Clear guidelines and regulations for sign board
owners to ensure they maintain clear visibility of
 Impaired traffic flow their signs.

 Potential hazards for pedestrians and cyclists

remedies

 Prompt repair or replacement of broken dividers

 Use temporary measures such as cones, barriers, or

signage

 Enhance visibility through reflective materials or

additional lighting

 Increase law enforcement presence near broken

dividers.

Potholes

Risks
 Potholes can cause tire punctures, wheel
misalignment, and suspension damage.

Traffic signs not visible

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 i  I
t mplement clear and visible road markings
ting a pothole unexpectedly can momentarily affect
a driver's ability to maintain control of the vehicle,  Install appropriate signage
potentially leading to accidents.
 Educate drivers
 Potholes on sidewalks or footpaths can cause
pedestrians to trip or lose their footing, resulting in  Increase enforcement
injuries.
 Enhance road infrastructure
 Potholes pose a high risk for motorcycles, bicycles,
and scooters, leading to loss of balance and
potential falls or collisions.

CONCLUSION
The combination of accident analysis using Q-GIS (Quantum
Remedies Geographic Information System) and road safety auditing is
a powerful approach to enhancing road safety. By leveraging
 Regular road inspections and maintenance to the spatial analysis capabilities of Q-GIS, accident data can be
identify and repair potholes promptly. effectively visualized and analyzed, allowing for a deeper
understanding of accident patterns, and contributing factors.
 Implementing proactive measures such as
preventative maintenance techniques to minimize Road safety auditing complements the analysis by evaluating
the formation of potholes. the existing road infrastructure, identifying potential
hazards, and suggesting improvements to enhance safety.
 Establishing a responsive reporting system for
The integration of these two methodologies provides a
potholes where citizens can report potholes to
comprehensive understanding of road safety issues and
relevant authorities for quick action.
enables evidence-based decision-making for effective
interventions.
 Prioritizing high-traffic areas and roads with a
history of pothole issues for timely repairs. The use of Q-GIS allows for the identification of accident-
prone locations, such as intersections or road segments,
 Utilizing durable and long-lasting road construction
enabling targeted safety audits. By assessing factors such as
materials to reduce the occurrence of potholes.
signage, road markings, visibility, and traffic flow, road
safety auditors can identify deficiencies and propose
measures to mitigate risks and improve overall safety.

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