Identifying Critical Safety Issues on Four-Lane National Highways in India Using Reactive and Proactive Methods: A Case Study from NH-30 Mohania to Bakhtiyarpur

Globally, traffic-related deaths amount to 1.37 million per year, or nearly 3,800 per day. In India, the severity of accidents has increased by 32.5% over the past decade, with 38.3 fatalities per 150 accidents. In 2023, there were 512,432 reported accidents in India, resulting in approximately 522 deaths daily and 163,992 fatalities on Indian highways. The safety performance of National Highways is crucial in developing countries like India. This research paper focuses on the four-lane NH-30 (Mohania to Bakhtiyarpur Road, a national highway approximately 230-km-long that surrounds the city of Patna, India. Safety performance of four-lane highway is a primary concern for developing countries such as India. This paper examines the advantages of the Mohania to Bakhtiyarpur Road, highlighting improvements in commuter travel time, goods transportation, accident reduction, and economic growth. Additionally, it underscores the importance of monitoring road conditions to ensure a safe, efficient, and adaptable transportation system. This process includes collecting data on road safety and performance and pinpointing areas needing improvement. So a study on the identification of risk factor on such as highways is of immense interest in mitigating road accidents. The paper highlights the role of trained professionals and community stakeholders in conducting road observations and ensuring that transportation infrastructure meets the needs of local communities. This case study presents crucial observations made at specific locations on the Mohania to Bakhtiyarpur Road. The study aims to analyze traffic flow, identify potential bottlenecks, and propose solutions to improve the road's efficiency and safety.