A road safety resource allocation model

This paper describes a model for the optimal allocation of road safety resources in New Zealand. The model permits expenditure to be allocated between regions, intervention types and road types so that efficiency is maximized given a resource constraint. It can accommodate resource constraints and other policy goals (such as equity). It relies on the principle that road safety interventions should be carried out until the cost of the marginal unit of intervention on the marginal section of road equals its marginal benefit. It is illustrated by applying it to road safety enforcement: police patrol hours are allocated optimally between areas. The model can, in principle, be adapted to other types of road expenditure. Refinements and extensions are suggested.