SPATIAL COVERAGE ANALYSIS BY EMERGENCY SERVICES: A CASE STUDY OF THE ROAD NETWORK IN THE BAČKA DISTRICT
Abstract
The efficiency of emergency service response directly depends on the spatial organization and functionality of the road network, as the time required to reach the incident location represents a key factor in reducing the consequences of fires, traffic accidents, and other emergency occurences. This paper analyzes the spatial accessibility of roads to fire and rescue units of the Emergency management sector within the Bačka District (data obtained from the official website of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Serbia – Emergency management sector), with particular emphasis on the influence of the road network structure and connectivity on population coverage. Using QGIS, a network-based analysis of emergency vehicle movement along the existing road network was conducted for time thresholds of 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes. The share of the population that can be served within each defined response time was estimated. The results show that approximately 37% of the population is covered within the first 5 minutes, increasing to 61%, 77%, and 89% within 20 minutes. The findings highlight the importance of the spatial distribution of units in relation to the hierarchy and capacity of roads, as well as the need to improve transport infrastructure and optimize base locations in order to reduce response times. The study provides a foundation for integrating transport planning with risk management systems, aiming to enhance traffic safety and improve the efficiency of emergency interventions on the road network.
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