# A Novel Methodology for Planning Urban Road Safety Interventions
## 2 Literature Review  
Road traffic accidents are a leading cause of death globally, particularly among children and young people aged 5 to 29. According to WHO [1], road crashes accounted for 1.19 million fatalities in 2019, making them the 12 th leading cause of death across all age groups. Beyond the tragic loss of life, road accidents impose significant economic burdens, estimated to cost 1-3% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and up to 6% in some regions. Addressing road safety is therefore not just a public health priority but a critical element of sustainable development, comparable in importance to poverty reduction.  
The European Union's 2021-2030 Strategic Framework for Road Safety [2] highlights the continued severity of traffic accidents, with approximately one million accidents annually causing 23,000 deaths and 120,000 serious injuries. Despite incremental progress,the reduction in road fatalities since 2013 has been insufficient to meet the EU's target of halving road deaths by 2020. Recognizing this shortfall, the framework introduces the \"Safe System\" approach, emphasizing safer vehicles, infrastructure, and user behavior, alongside enhanced post-crash care. This approach aligns with the long-term Vision Zero goal of eliminating road fatalities by 2050 and underscores the need for collaborative efforts across governance levels and sectors, with significant political and financial commitments from member states.  
In alignment with EU directives, Italy has implemented the National Road Safety Plan 2030 (PNSS 2030) [3], aiming to halve fatalities and serious injuries by 2030 and achieve Vision Zero over the long term. The plan is structured into biennial phases with a monitoring system to assess risk indicators, evaluate intervention impacts, and ensure efficient resource allocation.  
Recent statistics [4] confirm the urgency of these measures. In 2023, Italy reported 166,525 accidents, 224,634 injuries, and 3039 fatalities, with over eight deaths daily on average. Vulnerable road users (VRUs), including pedestrians and cyclists, remain at particular risk, with their fatality rates showing little improvement from 2001 to 2023. This highlights the critical need for safer infrastructure, particularly in urban environments, to protect these groups. This body of evidence underscores the importance of innovative, well-funded, and comprehensive strategies to address road safety challenges effectively.  
Road accidents are influenced by human behavior, vehicles, and infrastructure [5]. According to the Highway Safety Manual (HSM) [6], human factors play a role in 93% of accidents, highlighting the importance of initiatives like helmet use, driver education, and stricter policies on intoxated driving. However, these measures have yielded limited success. Vehicle-related factors, accounting for 13% of accidents, have seen improvements due to advancements in automotive safety technologies. Infrastructure, responsible for 34% of accidents, highlights the need for safer road design.  
Regarding the latter influencing component, various methodologies such as reactive, proactive, and predictive approaches exist to address road safety.