Road traffic crashes and emergency response optimization: a geo-spatial analysis using closest facility and location-allocation methods

Increased occurrence of road traffic crashes in Kano metropolis has resulted a steady loss lives, injuries, and increased people's risk exposure. This study looked into the emergency response to Kano, with view improving efficiency by developing linkages synergy between Emergency Healthcare Facilities (EHCF), ambulances, crash hotspots. The geographical location attributes major EHCF, hotspots along highway intersections, two existent ambulances at State Fire Service (KSFS) Federal Road Safety Corp head offices (FRSC) were obtained using GPS surveying. network data (vector format) was digitized from satellite image, which classes (highways minor roads) identified, as well their respective speed limits. length constraints used calculate time distances. Nearest Neighbor Network (closest facility, shortest route, location-allocation) analyses carried out. Location-allocation analysis determine based on defined criteria best locations allocate EHCF or ambulance for optimum coverage. results demonstrated that places have different distribution patterns almost no linkages. Closest facility revealed FRSC takes 9.41 minutes arrive spot 18 (Maiduguri Road, following NNPC) 7.52 AKTH, nearest EHCF. Comparatively, getting Court incident scene (spot 16) IRPH closest about 3 times it get 4 AKTH. means practically all victims city suffocate before reaching hospital. signifies that, cases demand CPR scene, there are higher likelihood dying is expected be provided within first four after crash. Based maximum impedance cutoff directions towards occurrences areas, location-allocation found eight new maximize coverage improve efficiency. It concluded current system been determined ineffective. As result, more should strategically placed times.