Road safety management in Qatar from fragmented to integrated and the role of the national road safety strategy

Al Malki, Mohd Abdulla M.

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) caused 1.35 million deaths and 50 million injuries globally in 2016, with RTCs being the primary cause of disabilities and a leading cause of death among those aged 5-29. In Qatar, RTCs accounted for 10-14% of all deaths and nearly 51% of injury admissions to the Hamad Trauma Centre before 2011. In response, the UN General Assembly launched the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, prompting Qatar to establish the National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC) to oversee road safety strategies. The Committee, as the lead agency for Road Safety Management, launched a ten-year Action Plan to minimise the occurrence of road traffic crashes and the severity of any road crashes. In addition, the National Traffic Safety Office (NTSO) was also established in 2015 to promote Qatar as a world leader in Road Safety, assist in the promotion of the National Strategy and implementation of the associated Action Plan and undertake monitoring and evaluation of the implemented plans.

This research evaluates the impact of Qatar's National Traffic Safety Strategy (NTSS) on road safety management using five case studies. The five case studies were to evaluate the impacts, or potential impacts, of various traffic safety strategies implemented in the country. The first case study analysed the effects of the NTSS on RTCs and associated injuries and fatalities. Trends indicated a reduction in fatalities and severe injuries since the implementation of the NTSS from 2013 to 2020, although severe injuries showed a rising trend between 2010 and 2016. Using a public survey, the second case study investigates the effects of public transport (PT) infrastructure and services on road safety in Qatar. Results show that a remarkable 96.5% of participants expressed a willingness to use PT for daily trips. A total of 88.9% of those who actively use Qatar's public transportation services have expressed satisfaction with the quality of the Qatar Metro. This high level of satisfaction suggests the potential for reducing car travel, resulting in lower accident rates and fatalities. Moreover, the increased ridership on Qatar Metro and Karwa Bus could also contribute significantly to the reduction of car ownership and use in the country.
The third case study investigates the effectiveness of CCTV/speed cameras in Qatar to reduce road traffic crashes, fatalities, and injuries. The findings show an increase in the issued traffic tickets with the increase in the installed cameras. Additionally, there's a negative correlation between violations and recorded crashes/fatalities, indicating a potential impact on road safety.

Case Study 4 analyses pedestrian signals’ impact on traffic safety in Qatar. Using Analysis of variance, the results reveal that increased motor vehicles contribute to rising crash casualties, which emphasises the need for suitable safety measures. The descriptive analysis shows that minor injuries fluctuated more than fatal crashes over the past seven years, possibly due to better injury notification and/or the rapid population growth that is leading to an increase in traffic density. The final case study (Case Study 5) examines how the NRTC manages road safety during pandemics, notably COVID-19. Despite a 55.2% population increase and a 123% rise in registered vehicles from 2010 to 2020, there's been a significant reduction (39.5%) in road traffic fatalities and injuries recorded between 2013 and 2020. RTC fatalities declined from 12.28 in 2010 to 4.79 per 100,000 population in 2020.

This research contributes to the road safety literature by examining Qatar's efforts to reduce RTCs, providing insights for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders. It emphasises the importance of national-level strategies and policies in improving road safety and providing lessons for other countries facing similar challenges. Documentation of the NTSC's establishment and impact highlights its integration of various road safety efforts. By assessing the effectiveness of NTSS interventions through case studies, this research offers directions for further investigations and policymaking aimed at reducing RTCs. Furthermore, it addresses drivers' perceptions and behaviours during the pandemic; this is a topic that was not previously explored in Qatar. Overall, this research underscores the significance of the NTSS in improving road safety, reducing RTCs and fatalities, and raising awareness of its role in the ongoing efforts in Qatar and beyond.

Citation

Al Malki, M. A. M. Road safety management in Qatar from fragmented to integrated and the role of the national road safety strategy. (Thesis). Edinburgh Napier University

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jan 6, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 6, 2025
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.17869/enu.2024.4043765
• Award Date: Oct 31, 2024