Project R-4200

Research on identifying and combining relevant indicators to benchmark countries with respect to road safety (Research)

In this project the focus is on benchmarking traffic safety in European countries using indicators. Given the fact that traffic safety is a complex and multidisciplinary concept, a comparison based on 1 or several indicators is not advisable. Thus the identification of (a hierarchy of) relevant indicators is a first aspect. More specifically, suitable traffic safety indicators need to be drawn up with respect to societal costs, the final results, risks, policy and a country's context. This translation into quantifiable indicators makes it possible to make a comparison between countries. Moreover, a specific goal can be matched to each indicator and the evolution can be observed over time. Secondly, a combination of a specific set of indicators into a compound index is contemplated. This way, the different dimensions are reduced and a more global view is obtained. The creation of an index however demands a scientific correct en appropriate methodologie. A few examples of important research challenges are: Can the same weight be attributed to each indicator or do we need to pursue a different weight or a most optimal weight? Is compensation between good and bad scores allowed? How do we need to deal with missing indicator values for a country?

01 October 2009 - 30 September 2013