The evolution of criteria for identifying black spots and recommendations for developing countries

Abstract

The general purpose of black spot identification is to identify high accident frequency locations on a road network to improve road safety. The next task is to sift through these locations to select the particular locations based on whose analysis the safety treatment is established. Thus, black spot treatment is a two-stage process: identification and safety analysis, with the former producing the enriched data for the detailed analysis done in the latter. Such analysis is to determine the true black spots, the safety aspects to improve, the cost of treatment, and the extent of the efficiency. Accordingly, the object of identification stage is to select sites that have a good chance of being in need of remedial action and also capable of being cost-effectively improved. This paper reviews the evolution of criteria for black spot identification in terms of scope and aspects. On the basis of this review, a number of suggestions are made for the cases of developing countries in terms of black spot identification aspects.