The reinforcement of pedestrian safety in the central business district: A spatial analysis of Austin, Texas

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study suggests strategies for the built environment to enhance pedestrian safety in the central business district (CBD) in Austin, Texas. This study examines how the built environment in CBD affects the frequency of pedestrian-vehicle crashes and pedestrian injury severity by employing negative binomial regression and logistic regression models, respectively. The findings reveal that, in the CBD areas, certain types of land use and intersections increased the probability of pedestrian crash incidence. Interestingly, parking and mixed land-use parcels had a statistically significant association with a pedestrian crash incidence in the CBD, while they were not statistically significant in the non-CBD areas. Further, this study finds that sidewalk coverage reduced pedestrian injury severity in the CBD and non-CBD areas. Based on the results, this study suggests planners consider developing more targeted strategies for the pedestrianization of CBDs.