◆ What is Traffic Accident Information?
This information consists of data on traffic fatalities reported to the police, information on accident-prone areas categorized by vulnerable road users and accident characteristics, and real-time road risk indices by link calculated through convergence analysis of data on past traffic accidents, weather conditions, and sudden events. This is critical information closely related to public traffic safety and accident prevention activities, and it can influence the market for related statistical analysis and three-dimensional map guidance services. The National Police Agency and the Korea Road Traffic Authority are making available 22 categories of traffic accident information, including fatality location data, as well as accident-prone area information and road risk indices, through the Traffic Accident Analysis System (http://taas.koroad.or.kr) and the Public Data Portal. This has laid the foundation for various industries to provide diverse services aimed at reducing traffic accidents.
◆ What kind of data will be opened up?
The Korea Road Traffic Authority open data information table displays data provider, open data, total number of open cases, and provision method. Data provider | Open data | Number of data records | Provision method |
|---|
National Police Agency | Traffic accident information (location information on fatal traffic accidents, information on areas with a high incidence of pedestrian jaywalking accidents and 7 other types, information on accident-risk areas, Information on truck, motorcycle, tunnel, and roundabout accidents | Approximately 230,000 cases | Open API, File data |
Road Traffic Authority | Road Risk Index by Link ( calculated using information on traffic accidents, weather, sudden incidents, traffic flow, time of day, road type, and vehicle type) | Approximately 1.44 million cases | Open API |
◆ How can it be utilized?
Private sectors, such as navigation companies, can improve the accuracy of accident notifications and expand the diversity of guidance content through more three-dimensional map guidance services. (e.g., notifying drivers that a specific area is a high-risk zone with a concentration of fatal accidents between midnight and midnight when passing through a specific time period.) Additionally, providing automatic alerts to drivers when passing through areas with frequent fatal accidents can lead to a proactive reduction in accidents. By utilizing the link-specific road risk indices (Safe, Caution, Danger, Severe) made available starting in 2019, drivers can select safe roads according to their preferences from the moment of route search and receive differentiated road risk indices based on road type and driver/vehicle type. The insurance industry anticipates increased policyholder satisfaction through various special clauses and surcharge options utilizing the opened data. Research institutions can ensure research diversity by incorporating traffic accident data into existing traffic flow information when conducting traffic safety research, and it is expected that this will improve the accuracy of accident analysis and statistical data. Local governments will be able to revitalize public interest projects, such as restructuring roads and improving traffic signal systems in areas with frequent traffic accidents. Above all, the utilization of location data on traffic fatalities is expected to enhance public safety and convenience by reducing social costs resulting from a decrease in traffic accident rates and by creating more jobs through the development of the data industry.