Analyzing factors affecting pedestrian crash frequency & severity considering demographic, land use, & roadway characteristics

James, Emmanuel (2021) Analyzing factors affecting pedestrian crash frequency & severity considering demographic, land use, & roadway characteristics. Masters thesis, Northern Arizona University.

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Abstract

Pedestrian safety is a prevalent issue across the United States, and especially in regions that experience higher pedestrian activity year-round due to warm climates, such as the state of Arizona. Recently, a steady increase in pedestrian crashes in the city of Phoenix, Arizona has occurred. To help address this issue in Phoenix and beyond, the objective of this study was to investigate factors associated with the frequency of vehicle-pedestrian crashes at the census block group level by amalgamating four datasets consisting of crash data, demographic data, land use data, and roadway characteristics. A negative binomial model and a multiple linear regression model were estimated to identify factors significantly associated with pedestrian crash frequency and crash rate, respectively. Numerous parameters in these models were found to be associated with pedestrian crashes, and the general effect (though with differing magnitudes) of most variables were similar to the few previous studies conducted in other regions, however there were important differences found that may be unique to the southwest region. Additionally, the estimation of both frequency and rate models provided unique observations as multiple variables were significant in one model and not the other, though most results were generally similar. A crash severity model was also estimated to analyze pedestrian crashes occurring within these census block groups. Ultimately, the findings of this study provide new insights that can help frame or amend policies and countermeasures aimed at improving pedestrian safety.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	Census; Civil Engineering; Crash Frequency; Crash Severity; Pedestrian Safety
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HE Transportation and Communications
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences > Civil Engineering, Construction Management and Environmental Engineering
Date Deposited:	01 Mar 2022 17:34
Last Modified:	01 Mar 2022 17:34
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/5776

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