Laura Sandt

Evaluation of Miami-Dade Pedestrian Safety Demonstration Project

This studys purpose was to implement a comprehensive program to reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries among pedestrians in a large urban environment. Miami–Dade County, Florida, was selected as the studys focus. High-crash locations were targeted for countermeasure implementation and analysis. With pedestrian crash data (1996–2001), four zones within the county were identified as having abnormally high pedestrian crash experience. On the basis of crash characteristics and pedestrian factors (age, ethnicity), 16 education, enforcement, and engineering treatments were implemented to reduce pedestrian crashes in the four zones and countywide. A before-and-after study was used with three control groups to evaluate the effects of the pedestrian safety program on pedestrian crashes. A 3-year “after” period was used (2002–2004). Multivariate intervention autoregressive integrated moving average time-series analysis was used, along with nonparametric U-tests to test for statistically significant differences in pedestrian crash experience. Results showed that at the peak of the program effects in 2003 and 2004, the pedestrian safety program reduced countywide pedestrian crash rates by anywhere from 8.5% to 13.3%, depending on which control group was used. These effects translate to approximately 180 fewer crashes annually in the county, or 360 pedestrian crashes reduced for 2003 and 2004 combined, based on the more conservative 8.5% crash reduction. Countywide, the greatest crash reductions were found among children and adults as a result of the program. Educational and other measures to reduce crashes involving older pedestrians showed no effect. A number of lessons learned were identified for future program implementation.

Index for Assessing Pedestrian Safety at Intersections

The primary objective of this study was to develop an index that would allow engineers, planners, and other practitioners to prioritize intersection crosswalks with respect to pedestrian safety. The study involved collecting data on pedestrian crashes, conflicts, and avoidance maneuvers as well as subjective ratings of intersection video clips by pedestrian professionals. Sixty-eight pedestrian crosswalks were selected for the pedestrian analysis from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Jose, California; and Miami-Dade County, Florida. A predictive model, the pedestrian intersection safety index (Ped ISI), was developed primarily on the basis of intersection ratings and avoidance maneuvers. Variables in Ped ISI included the number of through lanes, 85th percentile vehicle speed, type of intersection control (signal or stop sign), main street traffic volume, and area type. Through a user-friendly guide, Ped ISI can be used to identify which crosswalks in a city have the highest priority for pedestrian safety i...

Characteristics Related to Midblock Pedestrian–Vehicle Crashes and Potential Treatments

Reducing pedestrian crashes is a top priority for transportation professionals. Pedestrian crashes at midblock locations occur frequently and need further investigation. The purpose of this exploratory study is to understand the characteristics of midblock pedestrian crashes to determine appropriate safety treatments. The primary objective was to compare midblock and intersection crashes in light of their roadway characteristics, environment, and characteristics of the involved parties to provide information on the most common factors related to midblock crashes. Databases from Kentucky, Florida, and North Carolina were used to determine which crash variable categories have significantly higher proportions at midblock locations as opposed to intersections. The distribution of crashes was compared across the two groups. The results of a t-test determined the significance of differences of means observed between the two crash groups. Several variables (such as lighting conditions and divided versus undivided roads) are similarly distributed among midblock and intersection crashes. Furthermore, the study highlighted the categories within the variables tested with significantly higher proportions in midblock crashes as opposed to intersection crashes in one or more of the databases. These include two-lane roads, younger male pedestrians involved in the crash, residential land use patterns, and rural crash locations. This paper identifies areas and variables where further research is appropriate, particularly with respect to determining safety treatments for midblock locations.

Challenges and Opportunities for the Intersection of Vulnerable Road Users (VRU) and Automated Vehicles (AVs)

This chapter presents a summary of AVS 2017 Breakout Session 13, Challenges and Opportunities for the Intersection of Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) and AVs. This session built upon a brief session in AVS 2016 devoted to reducing conflict between VRUs and automated vehicles [1]. As last year’s brief session resulted in significant engagement and discussion, this year’s session was expanded to a full afternoon to broaden the scope of presentation topics and discussion. Nine speakers presented on a range of issues related to the intersection of VRUs and AVs, ranging from lessons from the real world, to themes in human factors, to simulation and urban planning considerations. The session was organized around two main panel themes, focused on Vulnerable Road User Safety Needs and Concerns and Technology, Infrastructure and Policy Considerations. Significant discussion during and following the formal presentations resulted in identification of a range of research needs, including in the domains of AV design and human factors research, communications, legal and ethical questions, and data requirements.

Community-Based Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program: Developmental Framework and Process Evaluation

Limited research exists on the process, partners, and resources needed to develop and implement programs addressing pedestrian and bicycle safety. Before communities can evaluate program effectiveness, they first need more guidance on what efforts could theoretically lead to fewer crashes, the extent of program delivery needed before changes in behavior or other outcomes can be measured, and how to assess and improve program delivery. The Watch for Me NC (WFM) intervention is a multifaceted, community-based pedestrian and bicycle safety program implemented in North Carolina. This paper describes the WFM intervention development, assesses program delivery through implementation records, and identifies successes and challenges in implementing behavioral interventions to promote pedestrian and bicycle safety. As a process evaluation, this study proceeds and complements research of program effects on intended outcomes (in progress). The nature, duration, and frequency of the delivery of key program components—including outreach, officer training, law enforcement operations, and media engagement—as well as program costs and partnerships are detailed. Funding, intra-agency partnerships, and data to support decision making were instrumental in WFM implementation. Key program delivery challenges included limited resources (including law enforcement time) to effectively saturate a large, dispersed population and loss of program novelty over time. These results and lessons can help guide researchers and decision makers in developing and evaluating similar programs. These results also suggest process measures that can be used to increase the consistency and comparability of program delivery.