Vehicular Fleet Expansion and Accidents Variation Numbers: A Contribution to the Analysis of the D. Pedro I-Tamoios Exporter Road Axis

Abstract

Aims: This paper aims to analyse the evolution of the fleet of vehicles on the D. Pedro I Export Corridor Axis, in the period 1998-2016 and its potential relationship with vehicle accident mortality rates with two municipalities cut by this route - Atibaia and Caraguatatuba. Study Design:  The focus was to investigate to what extent the intensification of the current fleet can be related as a factor directly responsible for the increase of the occurrence of accidents, using as an indicator for this measurement the mortality rate due to accidents of Traffic. Place and Duration of Study: Study realized in São Paulo State, Brazil, for 36 months, from July 2015 to July 2018. The data used and analysed to diverse indicators were from 1998 to 2016. Methodology: The methodology for the analysis of the intensification of the current fleet in the studied region was based on the comparison between the evolution figures of the fleets and the mortality rates due to transport accidents. In this way, all values were arranged on an identical horizontal axis (referring to the years), to show possible correlations. Results: The relationship between the circulation fleet increase and the increase of accidents represents the negative impact of the processes of social and environmental changes that are occurring in the region. These processes link urbanisation, risks and vulnerability due to the lack of adequate urban planning and road safety infrastructure that exposes the population of these municipalities to a higher risk of accidents. Conclusion: The data on the evolution of vehicle fleet in the exporting Corridor unequivocally evidences an accelerated urbanisation process, while mortality rates indicate the absence or inefficiency of public sector-oriented police and the health of the population, which hinder this process and may indicate negative impacts on society as a whole.