Accident Analysis for Sustainable Safer Roads and Vehicles
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 July 2026 | Viewed by 51
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The continuous effort to improve traffic safety has brought accident analysis to the forefront of interdisciplinary research. Understanding the mechanisms, causes, and consequences of road traffic accidents is essential for developing effective countermeasures aimed at reducing fatalities, injuries, and property damage. This thematic issue seeks to explore recent advances in accident analysis as a foundation for enhancing both road and vehicle safety.
Accident analysis today increasingly relies on comprehensive data sources, advanced reconstruction techniques, and the integration of multidisciplinary approaches. The availability of crash data from event data recorders (EDRs), telematics, infrastructure sensors, and national accident databases has opened new avenues for in-depth investigation. These data sources support the development of robust models for crash causation, severity prediction, and system-level safety assessment. In the domain of road safety, topics may include the identification of high-risk locations (black spots), road design factors contributing to accidents, and the role of traffic control systems. In parallel, vehicle safety research encompasses both passive and active safety measures, the performance of safety-critical systems (e.g., braking, steering, ADAS), and post-crash vehicle response. Special emphasis is placed on the interaction between vehicles and the built environment, which plays a critical role in determining accident outcomes. Crash reconstruction remains a vital part of forensic investigations, insurance assessments, and engineering validation. The application of new methods, such as 3D laser scanning, photogrammetry, and simulation-based modelling enables more accurate representation of collision dynamics. Combined with crash data, these tools support detailed analysis of speed, trajectories, impact forces, and occupant kinematics.
This issue invites contributions that present novel methods, validated tools, or case studies involving real world accident scenarios. Submissions may address methodological innovations, integration of big data in safety research, evaluations of safety technologies, or the role of traffic engineering in accident prevention. Comparative studies, regulatory perspectives, and reviews of existing safety strategies are also welcome. This special issue aims to complement existing literature by bridging traditional crash analysis approaches with modern data-driven tools and technologies. It addresses gaps in integrated safety assessment by combining insights from vehicle systems, infrastructure design, and empirical crash data. By gathering contributions across these domains, this thematic issue aims to provide a holistic view of how accident analysis can drive the development of safer vehicles and road environments.
Dr. Željko Šarić
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- accident analysis
- road safety
- vehicle safety
- crash reconstruction
- traffic engineering
- crash data
- safety technologies
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