Statistical spatial analysis of the distribution oftraffic accidents in the Capital department (San Juan, Argentina)

Abstract

The consideration of traffic accidents as a social hazard is based on the fact that they represent one of the leading causes of death in the country. Added to this are the economic and social repercussions they generate for the affected households. According to studies by international organizations, by 2030, deaths from traffic accidents could be between the fourth and fifth leading cause in low-income countries. This proposal falls within the framework of the Geography of Risks, focusing on the analysis of a specific hazard: traffic accidents. To this end, the Capital Department was selected as the study area due to its high population density, degree of urbanization, and quality of service provision. Furthermore, it is the area with the highest volume of vehicular traffic in the entire province. The objectives of the study are: determining the optimal location for a primary health care center or police station that allows for a rapid response to accidents; identifying the existence of spatial patterns in the distribution of accidents; and identifying the areas with the highest concentration of these events. The results obtained include a density map and statistical analysis that reveal the spatial structure of traffic accidents in the Capital Department. This information is highly valuable for territorial planning, especially in developing strategies aimed at mitigating this social hazard.