United States Department of Transportation
i
Safety in Numbers? Developing Improved Safety Predictive Methods for Pedestrian Crashes at Signalized Intersections in Utah Using Push Button-Based Measures of Exposure
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2021-05-01
[PDF-2.40 MB]
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Edition:Final Aug 2019 to May 2021
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Abstract:The focus of this study was threefold: (1) to estimate models of pedestrian crash frequency at signalized intersections; (2) to develop safety performance functions and crash modification factors for better interpretation and application of models’ results; and (3) to examine whether the “safety in numbers” effect applies to pedestrian safety in the US. Specifically, the analysis used robust measures of pedestrian exposure: pedestrian crossing volumes estimated from one year of pedestrian push-button traffic signal data. Multiple negative binomial models – predicting 10-year counts of pedestrian crashes at nearly 1,606 signals in Utah – were estimated, to account for different levels of data availability and different needs for applying the models’ results. The models showed almost similar results, indicating that signals with the following characteristics saw more pedestrian crashes: • Higher volumes of pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic, • Longer average crossing distances, • Fewer approaches with pedestrian crossing restrictions, • More crosswalks with high-visibility longitudinal markings instead of standard transverse markings, • No prohibitions of right-turns-on-red, • No bike lanes, • More bus stops (and more far-side as compared to near-side bus stops), • Greater shares of vacant land uses, • Less employment density, • No schools or places of worship, and • Greater shares of people with a disability or people of Hispanic or non-White race/ethnicity – saw more pedestrian crashes. The study also found strong support for the “safety in numbers” effect, in which pedestrian-vehicle crash rates decrease with an increase in pedestrian volumes. The authors suggest potential countermeasures, recommend various actions, and discuss future research opportunities for improving pedestrian safety at signalized intersections.
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