GIS ‐based Analysis of Road Accidents: A Case Study on Hotspot Identification and Safety Improvement

Traffic accidents are increasing day by day, especially in urban areas, leading to human and material losses. This study analyzes traffic accident data in Jharsuguda, a fast urbanizing and industrializing town in Odisha, India, using geographic information systems (GIS). Concerns such as traffic congestion and road accidents are aggravated by growing vehicular traffic and inadequate infrastructure. GIS technology is used to collect, integrate, and analyze spatial and nonspatial data to identify trends and causes of traffic incidents. By identifying accident hotspots and studying contributing causes, the study offers practical insights for enhancing road safety and traffic management in Jharsuguda. The findings emphasize the necessity of creative technical solutions in urban planning and the potential of GIS as a strong tool for improving road safety and traffic efficiency.