Back to Search
Start Over
Is the safety-in-numbers effect still observed in areas with low pedestrian activities? A case study of a suburban area in the United States.
- Source :
-
Accident Analysis & Prevention . Apr2019, Vol. 125, p116-123. 8p. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Highlights • The safety-in-numbers effects were investigated in an area with low pedestrian activities. • The safety-in-numbers effects were found only at 32 intersections out of 219. • Intersections with the safety-in-numbers effects have relatively higher pedestrian activities. • Intersections without the safety-in-numbers effects have extremely low pedestrian activities. Abstract In previous studies, the safety-in-numbers effect has been found, which is a phenomenon that when the number of pedestrians or cyclists increases, their crash rates decrease. The previous studies used data from highly populated areas. It is questionable that the safety-in-numbers effect is still observed in areas with a low population density and small number of pedestrians. Thus, this study aims at analyzing pedestrian crashes in a suburban area in the United States and exploring if the safety-in-numbers effect is also observed. We employ a Bayesian random-parameter Poisson-lognormal model to evaluate the safety-in-numbers effects of each intersection, which can account for the heterogeneity across the observations. The results show that the safety-in-numbers effect were found only at 32 intersections out of 219. The intersections with the safety-in-numbers effect have relatively larger pedestrian activities whereas those without the safety-in-numbers effect have extremely low pedestrian activities. It is concluded that just encouraging walking might result in serious pedestrian safety issues in a suburban area without sufficient pedestrian activities. Therefore, it is plausible to provide safe walking environment first with proven countermeasures and a people-oriented policy rather than motor-oriented. After safe walking environments are guaranteed and when people recognize that walking is safe, more people will consider walking for short-distance trips. Eventually, increased pedestrian activities will result in the safety-in-numbers effects and walking will be even further safer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *SUBURBS
*PEDESTRIANS
*TRAFFIC accidents
*BAYESIAN analysis
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00014575
- Volume :
- 125
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Accident Analysis & Prevention
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 134987172
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2019.01.037