Research Article

Application of Random Forest and SMOTE in Predicting Fatal Traffic Accidents: The Case of Erzurum

Volume: 16 Number: 1 March 1, 2026
TR EN

Application of Random Forest and SMOTE in Predicting Fatal Traffic Accidents: The Case of Erzurum

Abstract

This study presents a machine learning model developed using the Random Forest algorithm to predict whether traffic accidents in Erzurum will be fatal. Data from 16793 traffic accidents that occurred between 2014 and 2023, provided by the General Directorate of Security, was used. This dataset includes various variables such as driver characteristics, weather conditions, road type, road condition, lighting, shoulder, etc. Due to the minority of fatal accidents in the dataset, class imbalance was addressed using the SMOTE (Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique) method. The model was tested on training and test data with high performance metrics such as 98% accuracy, sensitivity, and F1 score. The results obtained reveal the impact of variables such as accident type, driver age, and number of vehicles on fatal accidents, contributing to data-driven policy development processes aimed at improving traffic safety.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Computer Software

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 1, 2026

Submission Date

July 25, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 2, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 1

APA
Sancar, Y., & Öztaş, S. (2026). Application of Random Forest and SMOTE in Predicting Fatal Traffic Accidents: The Case of Erzurum. Journal of the Institute of Science and Technology, 16(1), 47-57. https://doi.org/10.21597/jist.1749946
AMA
1.Sancar Y, Öztaş S. Application of Random Forest and SMOTE in Predicting Fatal Traffic Accidents: The Case of Erzurum. J. Inst. Sci. and Tech. 2026;16(1):47-57. doi:10.21597/jist.1749946
Chicago
Sancar, Yasin, and Sinan Öztaş. 2026. “Application of Random Forest and SMOTE in Predicting Fatal Traffic Accidents: The Case of Erzurum”. Journal of the Institute of Science and Technology 16 (1): 47-57. https://doi.org/10.21597/jist.1749946.
EndNote
Sancar Y, Öztaş S (March 1, 2026) Application of Random Forest and SMOTE in Predicting Fatal Traffic Accidents: The Case of Erzurum. Journal of the Institute of Science and Technology 16 1 47–57.
IEEE
[1]Y. Sancar and S. Öztaş, “Application of Random Forest and SMOTE in Predicting Fatal Traffic Accidents: The Case of Erzurum”, J. Inst. Sci. and Tech., vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 47–57, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.21597/jist.1749946.
ISNAD
Sancar, Yasin - Öztaş, Sinan. “Application of Random Forest and SMOTE in Predicting Fatal Traffic Accidents: The Case of Erzurum”. Journal of the Institute of Science and Technology 16/1 (March 1, 2026): 47-57. https://doi.org/10.21597/jist.1749946.
JAMA
1.Sancar Y, Öztaş S. Application of Random Forest and SMOTE in Predicting Fatal Traffic Accidents: The Case of Erzurum. J. Inst. Sci. and Tech. 2026;16:47–57.
MLA
Sancar, Yasin, and Sinan Öztaş. “Application of Random Forest and SMOTE in Predicting Fatal Traffic Accidents: The Case of Erzurum”. Journal of the Institute of Science and Technology, vol. 16, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 47-57, doi:10.21597/jist.1749946.
Vancouver
1.Yasin Sancar, Sinan Öztaş. Application of Random Forest and SMOTE in Predicting Fatal Traffic Accidents: The Case of Erzurum. J. Inst. Sci. and Tech. 2026 Mar. 1;16(1):47-5. doi:10.21597/jist.1749946