Influential factors of pedestrian and bicycle crashes near Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons: Observing trends through an applied analysis

Abstract

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs) facilitate safe pedestrian crossings at marked crosswalks in unsignalized locations. However, few studies have recognized situations in which individuals may cross roads without PHB activation, potentially raising safety concerns. The influential factors contributing to pedestrian and bicycle crashes near PHBs remain insufficiently investigated. This study identifies characteristics of pedestrians and bicyclists prone to crossing without PHB activation. Additionally, this study uncovers differences between crash-prone and non-crash-prone PHB locations. Furthermore, this investigation examines the diverse factors that impact pedestrian and bicycle crashes in proximity to activated PHBs and accessible PHBs in Tucson, Arizona. Descriptive analysis and Bayesian multilevel Poisson-Lognormal regressions are conducted. Results indicate that young individuals (minimum age 13 and median age 29) and males were more likely to cross when PHBs were not activated. Moreover, the odds of pedestrian and bicycle crashes near PHBs increased when approach speeds decreased 5 to 10 minutes before crashes and at night (even with activated PHBs), while they decreased in regions with a greater proportion of non-White individuals and higher household incomes. These findings provide insights for transportation agencies, enabling them to implement targeted education and supplementary traffic control strategies to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety near PHBs.