Transportation Disaster Trends and Impacts in Western Asia: A Comprehensive Analysis from 2003 to 2023

Abstract

This research undertakes a focused analysis of transportation disasters in Western Asia from 2003 to 2023. Utilizing a curated dataset from the EM-DAT database, we delve into the patterns and outcomes of these significant events, categorizing by modality such as air, rail, road, and water. The results highlight a concerning surge in mishaps between 2003 and 2010, followed by a welcome decline. Road-related incidents emerge as a dominant category, but a large portion (73.8%) remains ambiguously categorized as “Unknown”, underscoring potential data gaps or reporting inconsistencies. Turkey stands out, accounting for nearly 45% of all documented incidents, emphasizing its central role in the regional transportation disaster landscape. Advanced ANOVA analyses illustrate variations in fatality rates across years and countries, although differences in injury rates across disaster types did not exhibit statistical significance. The study underscores the importance of continuous safety enhancements, public awareness efforts, and regional cooperation. Ultimately, it underscores the pressing need for strengthened safety frameworks and the value of inter-regional collaboration to uplift transportation safety standards in Western Asia.