Civil Engineering ETDs

Publication Date

Spring 5-14-2024

Abstract

Between 2009 and 2022 in the United States (U.S.), pedestrian fatalities increased 82.3% and bicyclist fatalities increased 70.8%. Several studies have researched crash characteristics such as the people and roadways involved in these crashes. But where are these fatalities occurring within our regions and what spatial characteristics of these locations could be influencing this trend? We analyzed pedestrian and bicyclist fatality data from the last two decades using NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) in relation to built-environment and socio-economic characteristics (such as street network density, transit access, poverty, and educational attainment) obtained from the U.S. Census and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Smart Location Database (SLD). For both pedestrians and bicyclists, we first examine longitudinal fatality trends on the national level and then provide an in-depth exploration for the city of Chicago, which allows us to account for more land use and roadway characteristics. After importing the data into a geographic information system (GIS), we graph longitudinal trends with 95% confidence intervals, generate fatality heat maps, and perform negative binomial regressions using the statistical program R. The results of this study indicate that both pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities have trended toward areas with lower population density, suggesting these issues are migrating from urban to suburban areas. Additionally, these fatalities are occurring in neighborhoods with high rates of minority residents and poverty and low levels of educational attainment. The findings help inform where pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities are occurring, who is being impacted, and will help cities better focus resources to improve vulnerable road user safety.

Keywords

Vulnerable road user, pedestrian, bicyclist, fatalities, spatial, safety

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

Degree Name

Civil Engineering

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Civil Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Nicholas Ferenchak

Second Committee Member

Lisa Losada-Rojas

Third Committee Member

Anjali Mulchandani

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