International Journal of Transportation Science and Technology (Jun 2018)

Data analysis on traffic accident and urban crime: A case study in Toyota City

  • Ryosuke Ando,
  • Keiichi Higuchi,
  • Yasuhiro Mimura

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijtst.2018.01.002
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 2
pp. 103 – 113

Abstract

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In this study, we define urban safety as two aspects: to against traffic accidents and urban crime. In a general view, Japan has been ranked as one of the least fatalities countries by the traffic safety statistics as well as one of the least crime rate countries by the crime statistics. Therefore, Japan is widely evaluated as one of the safest countries in the world. In this study, Toyota City is chosen to understand the hidden factors affecting urban safety. Toyota Motor Corporation, one of the biggest automobile manufacturers in the world, locates its headquarters and shapes the car-oriented society in Toyota City. The results based on the GIS and the statistical analysis tells us that there are many common factors affecting the occurrence of traffic accidents and the urban violence/crime in total. The detailed analysis focusing on narrow streets, theft case and the land used for residents is found having negative effects on both traffic accidents and urban crime. Such result from the research gives us some hints to make the urban planning and urban management much effectively and consequently make the urban lives much safer.