A home-based approach to understanding the effect of spatial autocorrelation on seat belt non-use
Roadside observations indicate that seat belt use rates are often spatially correlated with nearby areas. However, very few studies have examined the effects of spatial autocorrelation on seat belt use. This study used exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) to explore spatial autocorrelation in Tennessee, which has a lower seat belt use than the United States national average. The authors geocoded home-addresses of vehicle occupants involved in traffic crashes between 2014 and 16 (n = 1,251,901) and projected them to the census tract corresponding to their home address. This projection reveals information about the spatial distribution of seat belt non-use and socioeconomics of the areas surrounding the crash victim's home. The presence of highly spatially correlated observations (i.e., a significant positive Moran’s I) suggests that seat belt non-use is not produced solely by the internal structural factors represented in the non-spatial models. ESDA reveals a distinctive regional imprint for spatial autocorrelation, in which Southern-metropolitan areas’ (Southern-MPOs) in Tennessee census tracts have higher than average seat belt non-use compared to Non-Southern-MPOs (16% vs. 9%). The spatial error model was suitable for Non-Southern-MPOs, whereas the spatial lag model was more suitable for Southern MPOs. Comparison of the estimated models indicates that in the Non-Southern MPOs, percentage of the White population, percentage of the population with Bachelor's degree, median household income, vehicle ownership, and population density are significant predictors of seat belt non-use. On the other hand, median household income, vehicle ownership, and percentage of population aged between 16 and 42 years old predict seat belt non-use in Southern MPOs. The study results could be used to identify seat belt non-use clusters at the state level and identify seat belt non-use hot zones. Furthermore, this analysis indicates that the relationship between demographic variables and seat belt non-use varies across regimes. Failing to consider the spatial regimes in the analysis would lead to falsely prioritizing groups prone to seat belt non-use.
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13698478
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Supplemental Notes:
- © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
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Authors:
- Hezaveh, Amin Mohamadi
- Cherry, Christopher R
- Nordfjærn, Trond
- Publication Date: 2021-2
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Web
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: pp 156-167
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Serial:
- Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour
- Volume: 77
- Issue Number: 0
- Publisher: Elsevier
- ISSN: 1369-8478
- Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13698478
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Autocorrelation; Data analysis; Demographics; Metropolitan areas; Seat belt use; Spatial analysis
- Geographic Terms: Tennessee
- Subject Areas: Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01767778
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Mar 23 2021 11:13AM