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Abstract for presentation (Poster or Podium) with a Paper in the Conference Proceedings

Transportation Safety

Navigating Road Safety and Equity: A GIS Analysis of Crash Data in Atlanta, GA

Sunday, June 16, 2024
1:15 PM - 2:30 PM ET
Room: Galleria
Abstract:

Road safety is a critical issue that affects all road users. Atlanta, GA, consistently ranks among the cities in the United States for drivers, with a high number of fatalities and serious injuries reported each year. According to the statistics, in 2022, Atlanta, Georgia had more than 16,000 crashes per month. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used in this study to analyze crash safety and equity in Atlanta’s transportation system. This study uses GIS to investigate the spatial distribution of crashes, their severity, and their influence on various demographic groups. The goal is to provide actionable insights for policymakers, transportation planners, and researchers to enhance road safety and equity in the city. This study maps and identifies high-density crash zones using GIS technologies, exposing places with abnormally high accident rates. The methodology also categorizes crashes based on severity (fatal, serious, and minor injuries) and finds places with a higher occurrence of severe incidents, allowing for more focused interventions. To address concerns about equity, the study combines crash data with socioeconomic characteristics. This enables us to examine potential inequalities in crash rates among different demographic and socioeconomic groups, resulting in a more equitable transportation system. Furthermore, we analyze the influence of road infrastructure and environmental elements in crash occurrences, such as road type, weather conditions, and lighting. This spatial analysis reveals infrastructure flaws that could lead to greater collision risks. Evidence-based policy recommendations are given in light of these findings. These recommendations take into account the spatial distribution of collisions, demographic variables, and infrastructural deficiencies, and provide a road map for improving road safety and equity in Atlanta. This study adds useful insights into transportation safety and equity by analyzing crash data in Atlanta using GIS. 

Learning Objectives:

Attendees can expect to learn the following from this session:
  • Understand the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze crash safety and equity in Atlanta's transportation system.
  • Examine the spatial distribution and severity of crashes in Atlanta, identifying high-density crash zones and areas with high crash rates.
  • Investigate the impact of demographic on crash rates, aiming to address concerns about equity in the transportation system.