This paper intends to shed light on safety expenditure on roads with emphasis on two-lane roads. The issue of equity will be discussed by considering the geographic dimension of the network including the allocated funds and factors that influence their distribution. The paper will also investigate the extent of safety problem on the rural area, including two-lane roads. The two-lane road network comprises 6576 km which comprise 89 per cent of the total road network length. Expenditure on this portion does not exceed 30% out of road budget. The main justification for this significant imbalance is that this 11% of the road network carries 50% of all vehicle-kilometer. On the other hand, fatality numbers as an indicator of safety shows there is a serious problem on two-lane roads with 97 fatalities compared to 76 fatalities on 4-lane roads.. The situation is slightly better for secondary roads but still some districts such as Ajlun and Karak have relatively poor road conditions but their allocated funds are relatively low compared to other districts. Ajlun received the lowest funds (Table 6) while Amman received the highest funds although its road condition is not as bad as other districts (50% of 2-lan primary roads and 55% of secondary roads in Amman were rated in level condition 4 and 5). Other factors are considered when allocating funds such as population and number of communities within district might justify this imbalance between road conditions and allocated funds. Thus, the equity issue is rather debatable, if we consider the distribution of funds according to population being served, then funds will be distributed in a totally different manner if the criterion used in funds allocation is road lengths in poor conditions. In general, part of transport investments are intended to help developing rural area and enhance socio-economic condition in remote area. Relation between accident cost saving and accident rate reductions and highway investments was examined and some of degree of association was indicated. This study clearly indicated that funds are not allocated primarily to reduce fatalities; poor relationship between allocated funds and reported fatalities outside built-up area was pointed out. Numbers of fatalities or injuries were not mentioned by MPWH staff as a criterion that is considered when funds are allocated. Safety benefits of road projects are not highlighted in their perspective, which might explain why this criterion is suppressed. However, safety might have been considered indirectly as it is an important issue that was raised in citizen complains. Safety conditions on 2-lane roads have to be enhanced to reduce the fatalities. For the covering abstract see ITRD E136183.
Samenvatting