Plan estratégico para mejorar la seguridad vial en el cantón Salcedo, provincia de Cotopaxi

Abstract

The Salcedo canton lacks a strategic plan to improve road safety. Therefore, this research aimed to develop a strategic plan to enhance road safety in the Salcedo canton, Cotopaxi province. The current situation regarding traffic circulation in the most accident-prone areas was diagnosed using research tools in the consolidated urban zone of the canton. Subsequently, the data obtained from field information on traffic circulation was evaluated based on road safety parameters and guidelines. It was found that the months with the highest frequency of accidents were January, February, and December. Road accidents were caused by human factors (88%), mechanical factors (8%), and environmental factors (4%). In the urban area of Salcedo, four high-frequency accident zones were identified for the period 2018-2022: the exit of the Redondel del Príncipe-Pan-American Highway (Zone 1), the exit of Plaza Eloy Alfaro (Zone 2), the exit of Hospital Yerovi Makuar-Pan-American Highway (Zone 3), and the exit of Colegio 19 de Septiembre (Zone 4). The evaluation of the road infrastructure in the urban area of Salcedo showed that 31% of the roads were asphalt (only the Pan- American Highway), while 69% were cobblestone throughout the zone. The road surface and sidewalks were in regular condition. Salcedo had 93.5% vertical signage, but horizontal signage existed but was not visible (71%), with only 23% complying with regulations. The road safety plan for the urban area of the Salcedo canton, Cotopaxi province, is based on the four pillars of road safety: safety management, safer vehicles, safer road infrastructure, and safer users.