MORE TRAFFIC MEANS MORE ACCIDENTS? THE CASE OF FRENCH NICE HIGHWAY

Abstract. This paper argues the relationship between traffic volume and accidents in highway sections. The paper shows the French city of Nice case and the analysis of the M6098 highway connecting the city to the airport. Amongst the different variables that are linked to traffic volume we select, explaining our choice, the NO2 pollution parameter. We collect a large volume of data from a long period of time between 2012 and 2014 that we collect from the national road traffic center. Our results show it does exist a relationship between traffic volume and accidents with a stronger factor during the weekdays. A long debate exists in the Literature concerning this possible correlation and our paper suggests the confirmation for one of the different positions expressed. Our conclusions help city Managers in their task to understand the conditions of urban living and transport. They are additional inputs to define local policies in order to improve the efficiency of private transport and prepare future smart cities.