Monitoring Changes In The Spatio-Temporal Characteristics And Dynamics Of Vulnerable Versus Protected Road User’s Collisions Hot Spots

Abstract

This study analyses the changes in the spatio-temporal distribution of vulnerable (VRUs) versus protected road user’s (PRUs) collisions hot spots in coastal regions in Tunisia over the period 2006-2018. It suggests an innovative multi-stage spatial crash hot spot analysis approach that combines the spatial analysis and spatio-temporal pattern analysis. First, optimized PRUs and VRUs hot spots Versus optimized PRUs and VRUs probable hot spots were used to determine settings that will produce optimal hot spot analysis results. Second, kernel density estimation will be used under six temporal scales (a.m. rush hours, p.m. rush hours, working days, non-working days, daytime and nighttime PRUs and VRUs collisions). The findings indicate that the majority of optimized PRUs and VRUs hot spots were portrayed in the northern part of the study area particularly in road junctions between national and regional highways. The detected PRUs and VRUs hot spots locations for non-working days are not concentrated in comparison with working days. Less PRUs and VRUs hot spots were identified during daytime in comparison with nighttime. Finally, the detected PRUs and VRUs hot spots locations for a.m. peak hours are not concentrated in comparison with p.m. peak hours. From a policy view point, the results could assist public authorities to delineate less hazardous road locations.