A study of the impact of traffic investment on traffic fatalities in China, 2004 – 2020

Abstract

Purpose: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) have been one of the most serious public health problems in China. The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which traffic investment affects traffic fatalities in China as well as regional differences. Methods: The cohort study analyzed the correlation between traffic investment and traffic fatalities, incorporating additional factors such as economic conditions, road infrastructure, population density, and lighting. The selected variables included the number of traffic fatalities, traffic investment, urban per capita road area, urban road length, road mileage, urban road lighting, population size, and per capita gross domestic product. Relevant data between 2004 and 2020 were collected for an analysis using a fixed effect regression model. A p 0.100, which was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Therefore, traffic investments are essential for governments to develop measures to enhance road safety and reduce the risk of road fatalities. Adjusting traffic road investment and other covariates is conducive to improving traffic safety and reducing the risk of road fatalities. The road safety situation in different regions of China varies greatly. Local governments should consider the actual conditions to provide better road safety configuration policies.

Keywords

• Traffic fatalities
• Traffic investment
• Regional characteristics