Explaining the Rise in Pedestrian Fatalities: A Systems Approach

Details

• Creators:
  Sandt, Laura S ; Naumann, Becky ; Heiny, Stephen ; Harmon, Katherine J ; Thomas, Libby ; Lich, Kristin Hassmiller ; Kuhlberg, Jill ; Khattak, Asad J. ; Zhang, Meng ; Mussah, Abdul Rashid
• Corporate Creators:
  Collaborative Sciences Center for Road Safety ; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ; University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Center for Transportation Research
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program ; United States. Department of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Crash Causes Fatalities Pedestrians Pedestrian Safety Pedestrian Vehicle Crashes Safe Systems Approach Policy Safety System Safety
• Publication/ Report Number:
  CSCRS-RR1
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  North Carolina;United States
• Edition:
  Final Report
• Corporate Publisher:
  Collaborative Sciences Center for Road Safety
• Abstract:
  Pedestrian fatalities in the United States increased 48 percent between 2009 (n=4,109) and 2017 (n=6,080). This is particularly alarming after so many years of decreasing pedestrian fatalities nationwide since the early 1970s. Many explanations have been stated for why this increase has occurred. This project was intended to explore some of the possible underlying factors associated with this alarming increase in pedestrian fatalities. The project first convened a diverse group of cross-sector experts and examined available data sources to explore the underlying and complex factors influencing the national rise in pedestrian deaths. These efforts supported the development of dynamic, testable hypotheses to inform a future research agenda. This project was designed to also demonstrate an application of innovative systems science tools as a means for examining underlying drivers of complex problems. An initial set of systems mapping workshops with diverse stakeholders produced numerous theories involving about 40 key variables and themes related to the rise of pedestrian fatalities, many of which were further substantiated by additional data and literature scans. Additionally, hypotheses about system structures—including balancing and reinforcing feedback loops—thought to be accelerating or mitigating the fatality trends were uncovered.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  69A3551747113
• Collection(s):
  University Transportation Centers
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:514f6470ac4e66d2e827e9bc8b90d0bc93999ce76e9e0b04998db48502725909eafb3284bfd4d0df924657ed49c45a6374d634384cf6c7232376ccd977931e8d
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/77717/dot_77717_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.80 MB ]