Reducing Traffic Accidents: Developing a new model for road safety

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in Israel, but in many instances, they can be prevented, and severity mitigated by using big data in intelligent and digital transportation to help determine policy and decision-making.  

Dr. Sher

Dr. Mali Sher, a lecturer in the Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Technology Management, and her research partner Dr. Hezi Reshef from the Hebrew University were awarded a grant of NIS500,000 from the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology to examine how integration of data sources will provide insights that can help reduce the number of traffic accidents and their severity in Israel.

The sources being employed include traffic tickets, emergency calls, roadworks, weather reports, vehicle counts, speed distribution, and changes in legislation and regulations.

The research uses advanced AI to identify recurring patterns, exceptions, predictions, and decision-making models to choose the best possible alternatives.

"I believe that together we can promote innovative research, using data from various information sources. Our aim is to reach practical conclusions which will improve processes to help decision-makers and policymakers in road safety," says Dr. Sher.

“The theoretical aspect of the research is also important because the integration process provides a unique opportunity to examine apply AI to data from traffic accidents, government offices, and special sensors in the transportation system. Assumption is that the insights of the artificial intelligence model will be combined with a decision-making model, helping to activate a safe system", continues Dr. Sher. 

The results of the study will contribute to formulating recommendations for resource allocation and legislative changes, ensuring that Israel National Road Safety Authority personnel will be better equipped to implement the vision of the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety for a safe transportation system.