APPLICATION OF GIS IN ROAD SAFETY PROJECT MANAGEMENT: ANALYTICAL TOOLS AND THE UKRAINIAN EXPERIENCE
Abstract
The article explores the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in road safety project management. The relevance of the topic is driven by the growing need for data-driven decision-making in transport safety governance, especially in urban environments with limited resources and fragmented infrastructure. The study identifies key spatial analysis techniques—geocoding, kernel density estimation, clustering, buffer analysis, and spatiotemporal modeling—as essential tools for detecting high-risk areas, analyzing accident patterns, and prioritizing safety interventions based on objective data. A case study of Kyiv is used to demonstrate the integration of GIS in the analysis of traffic accident distribution and hotspot identification. The methodological framework includes the use of open-source tools such as QGIS and Power BI, spatial data processing, and interactive dashboard development for decision support. A typical IT architecture of a GIS-based solution is described, including data collection modules, spatial databases, analytical layers, and user interfaces with dashboard integration for visual reporting. The proposed architecture allows project managers to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as accident reduction, infrastructure efficiency, and responsiveness to emerging threats in real time. Practical examples from Ukrainian cities (Kyiv, Odesa, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia) and international models (Sweden’s Vision Zero, GIS dashboards in the USA and Canada) emphasize the universal applicability of GIS for transport safety projects. These case studies illustrate how open data, public engagement, and inter-agency coordination can significantly increase the transparency, efficiency, and accountability of decision-making processes. The findings of this study are practically valuable for municipal and national project managers who seek to improve road safety outcomes through spatially-informed planning, policy development, and performance monitoring. The article concludes with recommendations on platform integration, staff training, adoption of open-source tools, and the development of unified geo-data portals for scalable GIS deployment across regions and administrative levels.
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