Nighttime pedestrian fatalities: A comprehensive examination of infrastructure,user, vehicle,and situational factors |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering, University of New Mexico, MSC01 1070, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87133, United States;2. Department of Civil Engineering, California State University, Sacramento, CA 95819, United States;1. Alabama Transportation Policy Research Center, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA;2. Alabama Transportation Institute, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA;1. Department of Civil, Maritime and Environmental Engineering, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK;2. Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada;1. School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State University, 101 Kearney Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;2. School of Psychological Science, Oregon State University, 229 Reed Lodge, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;1. Masoud Ghodrat Abadi, Graduate Research Assistant, School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State University, 1491 SW Campus Way, 101 Kearney Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;2. Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, 3760 E. Stevens Way NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA |
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| Abstract: | Introduction: Pedestrian fatalities in the United States increased 45.5% between 2009 and 2017. More than 85% of those additional pedestrian fatalities occurred at night. Method: We examine Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data for fatal pedestrian crashes that occurred in the dark between 2002 and 2017. Within-variable and before/after examinations of crashes in terms of infrastructure, user, vehicle, and situational characteristics are performed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and two-sample t-tests. We model changes in crash characteristic proportions between 2002–2009 and 2010–2017 using linear regressions and test for autocorrelation with Breusch-Godfrey tests. Results: The increase in fatal nighttime pedestrian crashes is most strongly correlated with infrastructure factors: non-intersection unmarked locations (saw 80.8% of additional fatalities); 40–45 mph roads (54.6%); five-lane roads (40.7%); urban (99.7%); and arterials (81.1%). In addition, SUVs were involved in 39.7% of additional fatalities, overrepresenting their share of the fleet. Increased pedestrian alcohol and drug involvement warrant further investigation. The age of pedestrians killed increased more (18.1%) than the national average (3.2%). Conclusions: By identifying factors related to the increase in nighttime pedestrian fatalities, this work constitutes a vital first step in making our streets safer for pedestrians. Practical Applications: More research is needed to understand the efficacy of different solutions, but this paper provides guidance for such future research. Engineering solutions such as road diets or traffic calming may be used to improve identified infrastructure issues by reducing vehicle speeds and road widths. Rethinking vehicle design, especially high front profiles, may improve vehicle issues. However, the problems giving rise to these pedestrian fatalities are likely a result of not only engineering issues but also interrelated social and political factors. Solutions may be correspondingly comprehensive, employing non-linear, systems-based approaches such as Safe Systems. |
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| Keywords: | Pedestrian Fatality Injury Safety Night Dark Infrastructure Arterial Drug Alcohol SUV |
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