Association between Built Environment and Pedestrian Fatal Crash Risk in Delhi, India

Abstract

An analysis of fatal crashes involving pedestrians in Delhi, India, from 2006 to 2009 that used a geographic information system showed clusters of crashes at certain locations. An evaluation of the characteristics of the built environment around the high crash location clusters was necessary. This paper presents an analysis of the built environment factors that influenced the safety of pedestrians. Locations surveyed included roads around the fatal crash clusters of pedestrians. Factors that influenced the number of fatal crashes of pedestrians were analyzed with negative binomial regression. Types of locations were categorized into locations with a flyover and without a flyover. Results showed that an increase in traffic volume by 1% would increase pedestrian fatal crashes by 1.6% at locations with a flyover and by 0.9% at locations without a flyover. Arterial roads with more traffic volume, more road lanes, and higher speed tended to have more fatal crashes. Locations where medians were fenced or raised in height to prevent pedestrians from crossing were also found to be associated with a greater number of crashes. These findings are useful for improving the safety of pedestrians around specific road infrastructure.