Methodology for Evaluating the Safety of Midblock Pedestrian Crossings

Abstract

Spatial and temporal characteristics of midblock pedestrian crashes (MBPCs) were evaluated toward a better understanding of where and when the MBPCs occur. Existing databases related to traffic crashes were used. Other data used include traffic and geometric characteristics of the roadways under consideration as well as analyses of pedestrian and driver behaviors. General statistical analysis methods were used to evaluate various hypotheses. The statistical Z-test was used to evaluate the age and gender distribution, light condition, fatalities, and alcohol- or drug-use–related characteristics involved in MBPCs. The results correlated these factors with the potential for the occurrence of MBPCs. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was used as a nonparametric test to compare the safety of midblock crossings with the safety of crossings at intersections. The methodology was tested and validated using midblock locations in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The results indicate that there is a significantly lower potential for conflict if pedestrians cross at an intersection instead of crossing at a midblock location. Although this methodology was applied to data from the Las Vegas metropolitan area, it is applicable to evaluating the safety of MBPC anywhere else, provided that appropriate data are available.