Crash Risk Maps are prepared for the road network where detailed crash data is available to represent the historical number of deaths and injuries occurred on the road network. Color coded maps are prepared showing the level of crash risk that capture the combined risk arising form the interaction of road users, vehicles and the road environment. The maps provide an at-a-glance objective view of where more crashes are happening and where the risk of crash is high.
The Crash Risk Maps are different from the Star Rating Maps as the risk mapping presents a ‘reactive approach’ and can be useful to identify and implement a blackspot improvement programme.
Crash Risk Maps are a powerful tool for road safety policy makers, professionals and advocates. Crash Risk Maps can help inform priorities across all pillars of road safety action (management, infrastructure, vehicles, road users and post-crash care). They include standard ways of expressing and benchmarking:
- crashes per kilometre
- crashes per kilometre travelled
- crashes per road user group, crash type or other metrics
- crash costs per length or distance travelled
