INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES FOR REDUCING TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS: INSIGHTS FOR APPLICATION IN MONGOLIA

Аннотация

The total length of Mongolia’s road network is 111,916.7 km, comprising 14,921.3 km of international and national roads, 96,040 km of local roads, and 955.8 km of special-purpose roads. As road infrastructure continues to expand, it is critical to assess how road conditions contribute to traffic accidents and road safety risks. Between 2020 and 2024, a total of 118,908 traffic accidents were recorded in Mongolia, of which only 0.5% were officially attributed to poor road conditions. However, in countries with more advanced infrastructure—such as the United Kingdom, France, and Russia—road condition-related accidents account for 28–33% of all incidents, and liability is often transferred to the organizations responsible for road maintenance.This study compares road conditions in Mongolia with those of rural roads in the United States, where proven interventions—such as shoulder rumble strips and centerline rumble strips—have reduced accidents by up to 46%. The study aims to assess the potential applicability of these measures in Mongolia’s rural two-lane roads with opposing traffic flow, where collision and rollover accidents are prevalent. The results suggest that similar implementations could lead to a significant reduction in traffic accidents, enhancing overall road safety across the country.