Abstract
Objective: To conduct a cost analysis of pedestrian injuries at zebra crossings (marked lines only) in Stockholm city during 2008, and propose an intervention for reducing these incidents. Cost savings for the intervention are calculated and presented. Method: A Cost of Illness (COI) method was used to calculate the cost for pedestrian injuries at zebra crossings. Cost of Illness included direct and indirect costs and excluded intangible costs due to lack of data. Data and statistics from STRADA, PAR and calculations from MSB were used to perform the COI. Results: During 2008, 73 pedestrians were injured at zebra crossings in Stockholm city, amounting an estimated social cost of 10.8 million Swedish Krona (SEK) (severe injuries 9.2 million SEK, minor injuries 1.6 million SEK). The costs for reducing pedestrian injuries and related social burden via the proposed intervention (zebra crossings constructed alongside asphalt speed bumps with adjacent lights on both sides of the crossing) were estimated to be 250,000 SEK at roads without intersections, and 1.6 million SEK at roads with an intersection. Conclusion: Pedestrian injuries place a large financial burden on society each year. It is recommended to add speed bumps and adjacent lights to zebra crossings where most pedestrian injuries occur. The intervention would reduce pedestrian injuries and also decrease the cost for the society due to these injuries. Cost savings for the intervention depend on the kind of injury avoided and what kind of road the intervention is built on.
Highlights
Around 16,000 people die each day from all types of injuries
The costs are presented in Swedish krona (SEK) 2005 values and include discounts for total cost in 2008 Swedish Krona (SEK) value
Cost savings are presented in average total gross cost in relation to the intervention sustainability time (1 - 20 years)
Summary
Around 16,000 people die each day from all types of injuries. Injuries represent 12% of the global burden of disease and are the third leading cause of death among 1 - 40 years old. During 2008, 18,462 road traffic crashes involving a personal injury were reported to the police in Sweden These accidents resulted in 397 fatal injuries, 3657 severe injuries and 22,591 minor injuries. PubMed and the Cochrane database were used using search words: traffic injuries, zebra crossings, bumps, lights for intervention, pedestrians and traffic calming. A combination of these data sources were used to do the cost analysis for the cost Stockholm City incurred during 2008 for pedestrians injuries at zebra crossings. Due to lack of data, the costs reported in the results are likely to be lower than the actual costs for injuries at zebra crossings in Stockholm city during 2008. Information about the cost and what kind of materials, labour hours (including cost) and the durability of the speed bump was obtained from the Traffic Office in Stockholm
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