Spatial Statistics and Severity of Highway Accidents in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

Abstract

The aim of this study was to use spatial statistics and geographic information systems to identify high-risk areas for highway accidents in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. Secondary data from the Ministry of Transport on the locations of accidents in the road network between 2021-2022 was analyzed using Equivalent Property Damage Only (EPDO), Spatial Autocorrelation, Kernel Density Estimation, and hotspot analysis. The study focused on Nakhon Pathom, a province in Central Thailand, and found that high-risk areas were concentrated along major routes with heavy traffic and high population density, including both urban and community areas. The study also identified specific risk spots, with Kamphaeng Saen District and Highways NO. 321(Kamphaeng Saen-Thung Khok Road), NO. 3231(Den Makham-Bang Len Road), and NO. 3232(Nong Phong Nok - Pai Chedi Road) being particularly affected, as well as Sam Phran District and Highway NO. 375(Ban Bo-Phra Prathon Road). These findings provide important insights into the clustering of accidents and their risk spots, which can be used to improve traffic safety in Nakhon Pathom.