Analysis of Bicycle and Pedestrian Crash Causes and Interventions

Pedestrian and bicycle crashes have been over-represented in comparison with their share in commute and all trips share because they are vulnerable road users and usually exposed and unprotected to the traffic. The fatality rates of pedestrians and bicyclists have been significantly higher than national average rates in Washington, DC. Improving the safety features of pedestrians and bicyclists in the nation’s capital is a high priority. The previously conducted studies of pedestrian and bicycle crashes did not include in-detail analysis. In this study, three years of pedestrian and bicycle crashes (2012-14) were digitized, classified, and analyzed. The classification was based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash Analysis Tool (PBCAT) and recently proposed Location–Movement Classification Method (LMCM) crash typologies. Majority of crashes happened at intersections (68%) and drivers were at fault or violation. The main pedestrian crash type was vehicle left turns (parallel paths) and of bicycles was the case of open door to traffic. The NHTSA crash groups were also identified and top three groups were examined in details and applicable PEDSAFE and BIKESAFE countermeasures were also listed. Due to few cases for some original NHTSA crash groups, new pedestrian and bicycle crash groups were proposed to categorize crashes better in Washington, DC area. Decision trees were developed using Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) method to investigate contributing factors in fatal and severe injury (disabling) crashes. Traffic control type, crash time, alcohol, speeding, light condition, road type, city quadrant, and fault were contributing factors in more severe pedestrian crashes. Bicycle-only crashes and crashes at construction zones were the identified factors attributing in more severe bicycle crashes. The shortcomings of police crash report forms that were used were also discussed.

• Record URL:
  http://d92016.eos-intl.net/eLibSQL14_D92016_Documents/DDOT_BikePed_FinalReport_20181015.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/61766
• Corporate Authors:

  Morgan State University

  Department of Transportation and Urban Infrastructure Studies
  5200 Perring Parkway
  Baltimore, MD  United States  21251

  District Department of Transportation

  250 M Street, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20003
• Authors:
  • Chavis, Celeste
  • 0000-0002-3737-2364
  • Lee, Young-Jae
  • 0000-0002-1422-7965
  • Dadvar, Seyedehsan
  • 0000-0002-2208-8918
• Publication Date: 2018-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 368p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycle crashes; Classification; Countermeasures; Crash causes; Crash characteristics; Crash data; Crash severity; Decision trees; High risk locations; Pedestrian safety; Pedestrian vehicle crashes
• Geographic Terms: Washington (District of Columbia)
• Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01710766
• Record Type: Publication
• Contract Numbers: PO559711-DCKA-2017-T-0029
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 12 2019 4:58PM