Does air pollution affect traffic safety? Evidence from cities in China

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Public Health
• Transportation Science

Background:

• Traffic safety is a major public health concern.
• Air pollution is a widespread environmental issue with potential health impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the nonlinear relationship between air pollution and traffic mortality in China.
• To explore the mediating mechanisms through which air pollution affects traffic safety.

Main Methods:

• Empirical analysis using a balanced panel dataset for 102 Chinese cities from 2014-2018.
• Nonlinear regression models to assess the impact of PM2.5 concentrations on traffic fatalities.
• Heterogeneity analysis to examine regional and economic differences.

Main Results:

• A 1 μg/m³ increase in average annual PM2.5 concentration is associated with a 0.0439 increase in traffic fatalities per million people.
• The adverse impact of PM2.5 on traffic safety shows a nonlinear trend, with diminishing long-term effects.
• Air pollution's negative effect on traffic safety is more pronounced in Northern Chinese cities and those with lower economic development.

Conclusions:

• Air pollution poses a significant, nonlinear risk to traffic safety.
• The impact of air pollution on traffic safety is mediated by reduced transport efficiency and impaired driver physiological and cognitive functions.
• Targeted interventions in vulnerable regions are crucial for mitigating air pollution's effects on traffic safety.