Road Safety Analysis Using Operating Speeds: Case Studies in Southern Italy

Operating speeds, implemented by drivers, are noticeably higher than design speeds. Many authors demonstrated that these inconsistencies determine particular hazardous “black spots”. In this study we propose a procedure (based on two models) to identify these “black spots”. With this aim, four different road sections were selected in southern Italy (Salerno, Cosenza and Catanzaro). For each road section the accident data since 2004 to 2008 were collected. The good statistical fitting between the estimated parameters and those surveyed confirms the validity of the models and, at the same time, their reliability to define road safety improvements.