Tracking Road Safety Efficiency Gains Over Time Within the Gulf Cooperation Council Region

Objective This study evaluates and tracks the progress of road safety performance in six high-income Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries from 2010 to 2019, using a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)-based Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI). It employs both the constant and variable return-to-scale perspectives. Methods Using the DEA-based Malmquist framework, this study creates a composite index for GCC countries and benchmarks their road safety efficiency, which few previous studies have comprehensively examined. The study measured road safety performance using various input and output variables, including the number of vehicles, population, road quality, implementation of road safety practices, road crash fatality rates, and economic burden due to road injuries. Results Over the ten-year period, the findings reveal significant disparities in fatal crash risk and road safety progress among GCC countries. While some countries have shown improvements in efficiency and technology, others have experienced stagnation or regression. Top-performing countries have primarily improved road safety through technological advancements. Conclusion GCC countries have significant potential to reduce road crash outcomes and enhance overall road safety. Policymakers can leverage the insights from this research to identify key areas for improvement, guide targeted interventions, allocate resources more efficiently, and formulate comprehensive policies for impactful and sustainable road safety strategies.