Economic Evaluation of Urban Road Safety Interventions in Iran: A Cost-benefit Analysis
- 1Road Traffic Injury Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- 2Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Bonab, Bonab, Iran.
- 3Health in Emergency and Disaster research Center, Social Health Research Institute, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Background: Road traffic accidents are among the major public health challenges and political priorities worldwide. The road safety situation in Iran is critical, and its fatality rate is significantly higher than the global average and that of developed countries. This study evaluated the cost- benefit ratio of urban road safety projects in Tabriz, Iran, during 2018–2020. Materials and Methods: This was an interventional study. A cost-benefit analysis was conducted on 9 accident-prone areas selected from 100 accident-prone areas in Tabriz based on traffic data and expert opinions. Purposive sampling was used. The safety interventions were implemented in Tabriz in 2019. Relevant data were collected through a three-part checklist addressing injuries, deaths, and social costs. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics (Mean±SD, percentage, and frequency), as well as inferential statistics in SPSS software, version 22. Results: The costs of fatal accidents accounted for 74.25% of the total costs, mainly because of productivity losses and vehicle damage. Benefits were estimated based on reductions in accidents and associated societal costs, discounted at 10%, with a social valuation coefficient of 20%. Costs included both implementation and operational expenses. The average benefit-cost ratio was 50.54, ranging from 241.53 for Chaykenar to 0.13 for the Abbasi intersection; most projects had ratios well above one. Conclusion: The findings underscore the high cost-effectiveness of safety investments and support continued funding. However, future studies should improve data quality and include intangible costs.
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BibTeX
@article{sadeghibazargani2026economic,
title = {{Economic Evaluation of Urban Road Safety Interventions in Iran: A Cost-benefit Analysis}},
author = {Homayoun Sadeghi-bazargani and Mina Golestani and Mirbahador Yazdani and Khalil Pourebrahim and Zhila Yousefi},
journal = {Health in Emergencies \& Disasters Quarterly},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Economic Evaluation of Urban Road Safety Interventions in Iran: A Cost-benefit Analysis
AU - Homayoun Sadeghi-bazargani
AU - Mina Golestani
AU - Mirbahador Yazdani
AU - Khalil Pourebrahim
AU - Zhila Yousefi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - Health in Emergencies & Disasters Quarterly
AB - Background: Road traffic accidents are among the major public health challenges and political priorities worldwide. The road safety situation in Iran is critical, and its fatality rate is significantly higher than the global average and that of developed countries. This study evaluated the cost- benefit ratio of urban road safety projects in Tabriz, Iran, during 2018–2020. Materials and Methods: This was an interventional study. A cost-benefit analysis was conducted on 9 accident-prone areas selected from 100 accident-prone areas in Tabriz based on traffic data and expert opinions. Purposive sampling was used. The safety interventions were implemented in Tabriz in 2019. Relevant data were collected through a three-part checklist addressing injuries, deaths, and social costs. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics (Mean±SD, percentage, and frequency), as well as inferential statistics in SPSS software, version 22. Results: The costs of fatal accidents accounted for 74.25% of the total costs, mainly because of productivity losses and vehicle damage. Benefits were estimated based on reductions in accidents and associated societal costs, discounted at 10%, with a social valuation coefficient of 20%. Costs included both implementation and operational expenses. The average benefit-cost ratio was 50.54, ranging from 241.53 for Chaykenar to 0.13 for the Abbasi intersection; most projects had ratios well above one. Conclusion: The findings underscore the high cost-effectiveness of safety investments and support continued funding. However, future studies should improve data quality and include intangible costs.
SN - 2345-4210
ER -