Propuestas de mejora de seguridad vial de bajo coste de la vía El Descanso-San Cristóbal-Malima (Azuay-Ecuador), aplicando el método del International Road Assesment Program (iRAP)

Abstract

Abstract: Traffic accident s have become a public health problem. At the national level, according to the statistics of the National Traffic Agency, there is a progressive increase in number and severity, which cause death and injury to people of all ages. The present work seeks to counteract this trend through the implementation of road safety improvent s through the application of the ViDA software of del International Road Assessment Program (iRAP) on the road El Descanso-San Cristóbal-Malima in the Azuay Province. Prior to the application of the software, data was collected in the field. Then the parameters and attributes of the road and it s surroundings were coded every 100 meters. After that, the information was processed and entered into the ViDA software to evaluate the level of road safety, its deficiencies were determined, and low-cost improvements were proposed in order to improve road safety. The results show that the proposed improvement measures: lateral metal protection barriers next to the driver and passenger, removal of power poles, removal of trees, vertical signage, sidewalks, visual distance improvements, speed breaks; help improve the number of stars in vehicle occupants from two to three for sections with asphalt layer, and from one to two for sections at ballast level to improve.