Black Spot Analysis, Weighted Severity Index, Road Safety, Traffic Engineering, Accident Prevention, Transportation Safety

Author

Gourav Kumar, Mr. Samik Sharma

Abstract

 Road traffic accidents continue to pose a serious challenge to transportation systems due to their adverse impacts on human life, mobility, and economic development. Identifying accident-prone locations is an essential component of road safety management because it enables transportation agencies to prioritize safety interventions and allocate resources effectively. The present study focuses on the identification of accident black spots and the development of safety improvement measures using the Weighted Severity Index (WSI) method in Rohtak, Haryana. Accident data collected for the period from December 2024 to April 2025 were analyzed to determine locations exhibiting high accident severity and frequency.

The Weighted Severity Index method was employed to evaluate accident-prone locations by assigning greater importance to fatal and grievous injury accidents compared with minor injury accidents. The analysis was conducted using accident records obtained from selected road intersections and urban traffic corridors. Based on the calculated WSI values, accident locations were ranked according to their severity levels to identify critical black spots requiring immediate attention. The results revealed that Delhi Road Chowk recorded the highest Weighted Severity Index value and emerged as the most hazardous location within the study area, followed by Hisar Road Junction, Bhiwani Stand, and Medical Mor.

Further assessment of these locations indicated that factors such as traffic conflicts, inadequate traffic control, mixed traffic movement, pedestrian activity, visibility limitations, and speeding contributed significantly to accident occurrence. Based on the findings, a set of engineering, enforcement, educational, and traffic management measures was proposed to improve safety conditions at identified black spots. The study demonstrates that the Weighted Severity Index method provides a practical and effective approach for prioritizing accident-prone locations and supporting evidence-based road safety planning. The findings can assist transportation planners, traffic engineers, and policymakers in developing targeted strategies for reducing accidents and improving roadway safety.

Keywords

Black Spot Analysis, Weighted Severity Index, Road Safety, Traffic Engineering, Accident Prevention, Transportation Safety.

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