Characteristics of Fatal Pedestrian Crashes on Freeways Kay Fitzpatrick Texas A&M Transportation Institute Transportation Short Course Design Session October 15, 2013
Project Background (0-6702) Motivation: Texas pedestrian fatalities = 400/year (2007-2011) FHWA focus state / opportunity state Objectives: Identify characteristics of pedestrian crashes Identify potential safety treatments Evaluate selected treatments
Fatal Pedestrian Crashes (FARS)
Interstate Pedestrian Fatal per 100 MVMT (FARS Data, 2007-2011) Rank State Ped Fatal Interstate Interstate VMT 100 million miles Ratio 1 AL 124 818 0.1516 2 DC 6 40 0.1499 3 AK 11 82 0.1339 4 TX 599 4706 0.1273 5 LA 81 718 0.1129 11 FL 208 2613 0.0796 12 CA 577 7376 0.0782
Percent Pedestrian Crashes (CRIS) Crash Type 2011 2007-2011 All 380,788 2,097,105 KABCO Pedestrian 6,966 34,620 Percent 2 % 2 % All 141,098 781,230 KABC Pedestrian 6,743 33,256 Percent 5 % 4 % All 2744 14,540 Fatal Pedestrian 464 2,232 Percent 17 % 15 %
Overview (2007-2011 CRIS) Factor All Ped Crashes (34,620) Fatal Ped Crashes (2,232) Daylight 61% 27% Vehicle turning left 14% 3% At or near intersection/ driveway 53% 13% Interstate or US/TX Highway 20% 52% Pedestrian gender Male (61%) Male (72%)
Overview (2007-2011 CRIS) Factor All Ped Crashes (34,620) Fatal Ped Crashes (2,232) Daylight 61% 27% Vehicle turning left 14% 3% At or near intersection/ driveway 53% 13% Interstate or US/TX Highway 20% 52% Pedestrian gender Male (61%) Male (72%)
Number of Fatal Crashes (2007-2011) TxDOT CRIS Sub Total % IH 446 US/TX Hwy 717 1163 52 FM 266 266 12 CO Rd 103 103 5 City St 691 691 31 Toll Rd 5 5 0 Others 4 4 0 Total 2232 2232 100
Narratives 1163 requested 140 unavailable, parking lot, or pedal cyclist 1023 reviewed
Information from Narratives Roadway type (freeway, frontage, arterial) Pedestrian characteristics Roadway part (shoulder, ramp, etc.) Pedestrian action prior to crash Reason pedestrian present Fault
Roadway Type TxDOT CRIS Frwy Frnt Art NR Tot % IH 327 75 7 37 446 US/TX Hwy 147 34 433 103 717 52 FM 266 266 12 CO Rd 103 103 5 City St 691 691 31 Toll Rd 5 5 0 Others 4 4 0 Total 474 109 440 1209 2232 100 % 21 5 20 54 100
Ped Age 474 freeway crashes, involved 521 pedestrians Population from Texas Department of Health Services, 2007-2011 Age Group Fatal Pedestrian Crashes on Freeway Per 100,000 Population <15 0.05 15-24 0.60 25-39 0.61 40-64 0.50 >=65 0.18 Total 0.42
Ped Gender 474 freeway crashes, involved 521 pedestrians Population from Texas Department of Health Services, 2007-2011 Gender Fatal Pedestrian Crashes on Freeway Per 100,000 Population Per Year Male 0.67 Female 0.17 Total 0.42
Drivers 737 drivers for the 474 freeway crashes Indicates prevalence of multi-vehicle collisions Age, gender, ethnicity information not available for drivers in 28 percent of freeway crashes Indicates many hit-and-run crashes
Road Part Road Part Freq % Mainlanes 351 74 Right Shoulder 54 11 Left Shoulder 12 3 Entrance Ramp 19 4 Exit Ramp 25 5 Median 4 1 HOV Lane 5 1 Other 4 1 Total 474 100
Pedestrian Action Prior to Crash Action Freq % Crossing 232 49 Standing 116 24 Walking along road 51 11 Lying down 15 3 Unknown 60 13 Total 474 100
Reason at Crash Location Reason - Groups Freq % Associated with vehicle 127 27 Not associated with vehicle 24 5 Not stated in narrative 323 68 Total 474 100
Reason @ Crash: Associated with Vehicle Reason Freq % Stalled vehicle 72 15% Previous crash 49 10% Changing seat position 1 0.2% Jumping from car 1 0.2% Taking pictures 1 0.2% Retrieving items from road 3 1%
Reason @ Crash: Not Associated with Vehicle Reason Freq % Commuting 4 1% Working 10 2% Fleeing police 5 1% Suicide 4 1% Unconscious 1 0.2%
Reason @ Crash: Not Stated in Crash Narrative Ped Doing Prior to Crash Freq % Crossing roadway 200 42 Standing in traffic 13 3 Standing on median, shoulder, or off the road Walking along or lying down in or near road 6 1 50 11 Unknown 54 11
Unit at Fault 8 71 21 Driver Pedestrian Unclear
Light Condition Light Condition Freq % Dawn 9 2 Daylight 69 15 Dark, not lighted 176 37 Dark, lighted 206 43 Dark, unknown lighting 8 2 Unknown 4 1 Blank 2 0 Total 474 100
Summary of Key Findings Out of 474 freeway crashes: 49% - Action: pedestrian attempted to cross freeway 25% - Reason: stalled vehicle or previous crash 82% - Lighting: dark conditions, lighted or not 71% - Fault: pedestrian at fault
Possible Subjects of Future Study Assessment of influence of roadway design and roadside development Best practices for addressing crashes on high-speed and controlled-access roads Enforcement efforts that target jaywalking
Possible Media Campaigns Why to not cross freeways What to do when vehicle stalls on a freeway What to do when in a freeway crash Visibility of pedestrian, especially at night or on high-speed roads Target to select populations (e.g., males, etc.)
Questions? Kay Fitzpatrick, P.E. K-Fitzpatrick@tamu.edu 0-6702-1 report in review, due soon