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From theory to practice in road safety policy: Understanding risk versus mobility

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  • Noland, Robert B.

Abstract

This paper reviews theoretical issues surrounding transport safety modeling and the implications for road safety policy. The behavioral mechanisms that affect transport safety are typically not considered in safety modeling. These issues are discussed in the context of trade-offs between risk-taking, as perceived by travelers, and other mobility objectives and the attributes associated with them. This is an extension of other theoretical frameworks, such as risk compensation, and attempts to integrate some of the previous frameworks developed over the years. Various examples of behavioral adaptation to specific policies are discussed and linked to the framework. These issues are then discussed in the context of improvements to empirical work in this area and the linkage of theoretical frameworks to crash modeling, in particular the estimation and use of Crash Modification Factors. Conclusions suggest that there are many deficiencies in practice, from estimation of models to choice of effective policies. Progress is being made on the former, while the publication of practical guidance seems to have substantial lags in knowledge.

Suggested Citation

  • Noland, Robert B., 2013. "From theory to practice in road safety policy: Understanding risk versus mobility," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 43(1), pages 71-84.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:retrec:v:43:y:2013:i:1:p:71-84
    DOI: 10.1016/j.retrec.2012.12.007
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    2. Bajada, Thérèse & Attard, Maria, 2021. "A typological and spatial analysis of pedestrian fatalities and injuries in Malta," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    3. Sebastian Martinez & Raul Sanchez & Patricia Yañez-Pagans, 2019. "Road safety: challenges and opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean," Latin American Economic Review, Springer;Centro de Investigaciòn y Docencia Económica (CIDE), vol. 28(1), pages 1-30, December.
    4. Lin Hu & Guangtao Guo & Jing Huang & Xianhui Wu & Kai Chen, 2022. "The Real-World Effects of Route Familiarity on Drivers’ Eye Fixations at Urban Intersections in Changsha, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-13, August.
    5. Jonathan M. Lee, 2015. "Offsetting or Enhancing Behavior: An Empirical Analysis of Motorcycle Helmet Safety Legislation," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 35(10), pages 1820-1836, October.
    6. Alves, Pedro Jorge & Emanuel, Lucas & Pereira, Rafael H.M., 2021. "Highway concessions and road safety:Evidence from Brazil," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Transport safety; Risk compensation; Generalized cost; Safety behavior; Safety analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D61 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Allocative Efficiency; Cost-Benefit Analysis
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise

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