Evaluating the Road Safety Design through High Resolution Satellite Image: A Case Study of Karachi Metropolitan

Department of Geography, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan

Abstract

Humanity is suffering from numerous natural, technological and health related hazards. Urban Road crash is one of the growing health issues these days in both developed and developing countries. Pakistan stands 1^st in Asia and 48^th in the world in this regard. Similarly, the metropolitan city of Pakistan, Karachi; ranks fourth in the list. Various reasons are responsible for these crashes in Karachi. Around 34% of crashes in the city were accounted due to errors in road geometry. In this study use of high resolution satellite imagery made it possible for identifying geometrical errors at the U-turns on major arteries of the city. It was also recognized that most of the U-turns were built on the fastest lane of the roads with average distance of 1.1 Km apart, are marked as vulnerable for considerable number of severe injury and fatal crashes. Moreover, inlet wall of all median U-turns were found broken, suggested that the car crash had occurred at least once. To cross check this observation, nearly 120 U-turns were surveyed and marked on the satellite imagery based on convenience. Trained professionals interviewed the people working/living nearby the U-turns. Out of 120 U-turns studied, 72.5% were without wall/median and 27.5% were with wall/median. Average number of people got injured or died due to crashes were statistically significant (p<0.05) between the above mentioned types of U-turns. In order to reduce geometrical errors use of RS (Remote Sensing) and GIS (Geographical Information System) techniques are strongly suggested to be incorporated while planning road design in the city. This would certainly save the resources particularly the lives of the people.