Innovations in Medicine Research: AI and Road Safety
While most people use Google Street View to navigate, Dr. Quynh Nguyen, an epidemiologist and statistician at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, employs it to pinpoint hazardous locations. In recent Medicine Research News, a study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) of Injury Prevention on June 6 highlights Nguyen’s use of AI tools to identify pivotal environmental elements impacting vehicle collisions, as well as accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians.
Utilising AI in Health Science to Prevent Accidents
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for young individuals aged 5 to 29, making it imperative to comprehend how the physical environment can influence these fatal incidents and identify the communities most affected. Nguyen’s research leverages technology and big data sources to address such health disparities. By utilising Google Street View (GSV), an AI tool providing 360-degree views of streets globally, the researchers examined how specific road features relate to accident occurrences.
Key Findings in Health Research
The research team scrutinised features such as streetlights and greenery on a national scale using virtual mapping. An extensive analysis of GSV data revealed precise correlations between built environment elements and car crashes. Locations with higher levels of greenery, streetlights, single-lane roads, and sidewalks exhibited fewer fatal accidents. Specifically, areas with more sidewalks saw a 70% reduction in traffic accidents, while single-lane roads, commonly found in rural areas, experienced 50% fewer incidents.
Implications for Medicine Science
For pedestrians and cyclists, safety improved with the presence of streetlights and stop signs, which were linked to fewer car accidents involving these groups. In contrast, road construction areas experienced an increase in collisions. According to Xiaohe Yue, a data analyst and co-author of the study, many public health issues can be resolved with emerging technologies and extensive data sources, offering practical solutions to longstanding problems.
Health Research News: Influencing Policy and Urban Planning
The researchers hope their findings will guide transport and infrastructure policies, providing decision-makers with proven strategies to enhance road safety for all. Co-author Heran Mane emphasised the importance of considering the built environment in urban planning to design safer streets and communities. Nguyen envisions a new research pathway, highlighting the significant role of data science and AI in facilitating larger, more efficient, and timely studies.
This groundbreaking research showcases how AI can improve public health. Nguyen and her colleagues aim to expand the scope of built environment indicators across the United States and explore these features in other countries, marking a substantial advancement in health science and road safety.