Investigating the correlation between sidewalks and pedestrian safety: a session at the TRB 2022 Conference
Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Madalyn Smith, Junior
Lead Presenter's Name
Madalyn Smith
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Scott Parr
Abstract
The state of Florida is known for having the four highest pedestrian incident locations in the country, which is why pedestrian safety and the correlation between sidewalks and pedestrian safety has become a highly sought-after research topic that can be implemented throughout the state. Many pedestrian sidewalks within the state of Florida are not continuous, and this has caused a great concern amongst engineers and city planners to research the correlation between these gaps in sidewalk and the increase in risk of pedestrian accidents. Through use of geographical information systems, it was found that the presence of sidewalk along roadway segments is one of the main factors that have significant impact on the expected number of pedestrian crashes at a specific location, with other factors being daily traffic volumes and roadway category. The Incident Risk Ratio (IRR) of a pedestrian crash along roadways with no sidewalks was found to be 1.67 times greater than along roadways that contained sidewalks, and the risk of pedestrian crashes was found to be three times greater long roadways that that do not have sidewalks.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes, Spark Grant
Investigating the correlation between sidewalks and pedestrian safety: a session at the TRB 2022 Conference
The state of Florida is known for having the four highest pedestrian incident locations in the country, which is why pedestrian safety and the correlation between sidewalks and pedestrian safety has become a highly sought-after research topic that can be implemented throughout the state. Many pedestrian sidewalks within the state of Florida are not continuous, and this has caused a great concern amongst engineers and city planners to research the correlation between these gaps in sidewalk and the increase in risk of pedestrian accidents. Through use of geographical information systems, it was found that the presence of sidewalk along roadway segments is one of the main factors that have significant impact on the expected number of pedestrian crashes at a specific location, with other factors being daily traffic volumes and roadway category. The Incident Risk Ratio (IRR) of a pedestrian crash along roadways with no sidewalks was found to be 1.67 times greater than along roadways that contained sidewalks, and the risk of pedestrian crashes was found to be three times greater long roadways that that do not have sidewalks.