Paper #123

Modeling Road Users’ Support for Traffic Safety Initiatives in the UAE: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Haneen Abuzaid, Raghad Almashhour, Areej Mohammed and Ghassan Abu-Lebdeh

Presenting author: Haneen Abuzaid

Session: I08

Abstract

Transportation plays a major role in the daily lives of human beings. There is extensive research on the economic burdens associated with traffic, relative to the gap in the social dimension of traffic. The aim of this study is to evaluate road users’ support traffic safety initiatives in the UAE using Structure Equation Modeling, where a set of related indicators was extracted from the literature to measure each traffic safety initiative. All the indicators were assessed via an online survey in the UAE with 458 respondents. The results showed a significant correlation among four traffic safety constructs: distracted driving, technology advances, speed detection, and dangerous behaviors. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that road users’ support to traffic safety in the UAE is positively influenced by these constructs. The findings would be advantageous to governmental entities, policy and decision makers, contractors, and developers; to enhance the safety of driving experience and the social sustainability of roads and transportation.