Spatiotemporal Analysis of Traffic Accidents Hotspots Based on Geospatial Techniques

This paper aims to explore the spatiotemporal pattern of traffic accidents using five years of data between 2015 and 2019 for the Irbid Governorate, Jordan. The spatial pattern of traffic-accident hotspots and their temporal evolution were identified along the internal and arterial roads network in the study area using spatial autocorrelation (Global Moran I index) and local hotspot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi*) techniques within the GIS environment. The study showed a gradual increase in the reported traffic accidents of approximately 38% at the year level. The analysis of traffic accidents at the severity level showed a distinguished spatial distribution of hotspot locations. The less severe traffic accidents (similar to 95%) occurred on the internal road network in the Irbid Governorate's towns where the highest traffic volume exist. The spatial autocorrelation analysis and the Getis-Ord Gi* statistics with 99% of significance level showed clustering patterns of traffic accidents along the internal and the arterial road network segments. Between 2015 and 2019, a notable evolution of the traffic-accident hotspots clusters was pronounced. The results can be used to guide traffic managers and decision makers to take appropriate actions for enhancing the hotspot locations and improving their traffic safety status.

Automated summary

This study examines the spatiotemporal pattern of traffic accidents in Irbid Governorate, Jordan from 2015 to 2019. By using spatial autocorrelation and hotspot analysis techniques, the study finds that the number of traffic accidents has been increasing annually, with the majority of less severe accidents occurring on internal roads in high traffic volume towns. The analysis also reveals clustering patterns of accidents along the road network, which have evolved over the five-year period.