Planning on Safer Urban Mobility through Spatial Analysis: Application to Vila Real, Portugal

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between urban mobility, land use, and road safety through a case study in Vila Real, Portugal. Although urban road accidents tend to cluster at specific sites, systematic approaches to identifying and treating hazardous road locations (HRL) are lacking in many countries, including Portugal. The study compares and discusses the applicability of different HRL definitions and identification methods, using road accident data analysed with two spatial analysis software packages. Results reveal that distinct methods produce varying numbers and locations of HRLs, but significant overlaps exist. Findings suggest that applying these methods can improve road safety, particularly in contexts with limited resources. The research also highlights the benefits of integrating HRL identification and treatment with broader transport and land-use policies to optimise resource use and promote safer urban environments.