GIS techniques to analyze factors associated with crash occurrence

Abstract

Fatality rates in Kentucky have been higher than the national average for the past decade. Prior research postulated that the region’s unique socioeconomic conditions could provide a compelling explanation of the higher cash rates of the southeast in the US. This study examines the relationship between safety and socioeconomic characteristics using an extensive spatial analysis of crashes in Kentucky. Quasi-induced exposure technique was utilized to determine the crash propensity of different driver groups. Through a series of GIS techniques and spatial analysis, the relative accident involvement ratios were calculated for each group of drivers. The findings of the study concur with the previous findings between driving behavior and demographic factors such as age and gender. The study also attempted to explain the regional disparities in crash occurrence across the state in terms of economic status. The study concluded that the drivers residing in the Appalachian regions have a higher propensity to cause a crash, regardless of the age and gender of the driver. The findings of the study can be used to identify high risk counties for the Safety Circuit Rider (SCR) program in Kentucky.