Pedestrian Safety Research Articles

The local driving safety effect of motorcycle restrictions: Evidence from China

Motorcycles are a highly unstable element that impacts road traffic safety due to insufficient safety protection structures and poor maneuverability. The rapid increase in their use has exacerbated the severity of crash-related fatalities and injuries. While some countries have implemented motorcycle restrictions to address this phenomenon, the causal effect of such policies on reducing the severity of injuries from accidents requires further research. This study employs a difference-in-differences approach to estimate the causal effect of motorcycle restrictions in China on the severity of road crash injuries. The results indicate a significant reduction in the likelihood of fatal or severe injuries occurring in crashes. Specifically, in regions with motorcycle restrictions, the probability of crashes resulting in fatal or severe injuries decreased by 2.9% on average. The results remain robust following placebo and falsification tests and excluding confounding effects. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that motorcycle restrictions primarily affect male drivers and drivers with urban hukou, with no significant differences in effects across drivers of different age groups. Overall, the findings indicate that motorcycle restrictions reduce the number of motorcycles on the road and decrease the probability of motorcycle drivers being at fault in crashes, signifying improved driver behavior and effectively lowering crash severity.

Analysis of the Impact of Road Traffic Safety Facilities on Traffic Safety

The development of the national economy is closely tied to infrastructure construction. In recent years, China has seen a significant increase in the number and scale of road construction projects, aimed at facilitating the flow of goods and enabling convenient travel for the masses. However, this surge in road construction also raises concerns about road traffic safety. Road traffic safety facilities play a crucial role in warning and protecting against traffic accidents. To ensure their effective implementation, this paper analyzes the essence of road traffic facilities and their impact on traffic safety. By identifying challenges in the application of traffic safety facilities and adhering to safety facility application principles, suggestions are proposed to enhance traffic safety management.

A Detection Transformer-Based Intelligent Identification Method for Multiple Types of Road Traffic Safety Facilities.

Road traffic safety facilities (TSFs) are of significant importance in the management and maintenance of traffic safety. The complexity and variety of TSFs make it challenging to detect them manually, which renders the work unsustainable. To achieve the objective of automatic TSF detection, a target detection dataset, designated TSF-CQU (TSF data collected by Chongqing University), was constructed based on images collected by a car recorder. This dataset comprises six types of TSFs and 8410 instance samples. A detection transformer with an improved denoising anchor box (DINO) was selected to construct a model that would be suitable for this scenario. For comparison purposes, Faster R-CNN (Region Convolutional Neural Network) and Yolov7 (You Only Look Once version 7) were employed. The DINO model demonstrated the highest performance on the TSF-CQU dataset, with a mean average precision (mAP) of 82.2%. All of the average precision (AP) values exceeded 0.8, except for streetlights (AP = 0.77) and rods (AP = 0.648). The DINO model exhibits minimal instances of erroneous recognition, which substantiates the efficacy of the contrastive denoising training approach. The DINO model rarely makes misjudgments, but a few missed detection.

Investigating and Improving Pedestrian Safety in an Urban Environment of a Low- or Middle-Income Country: A Case Study of Yaoundé, Cameroon

In Yaoundé, Cameroon, where walking dominates transport modes, pedestrian safety remains an issue as pedestrians account for a fair share of road traffic casualties, partly due to the lack of walking policies and pedestrian facilities safety data, hindering targeted intervention. This study used a pedestrian safety index (PSI) and the Global Walkability Index (GWI) to investigate 12 road segments frequented by diverse pedestrian groups. Indexes were graded from E—lowest to A—highest and analyzed using description and rank correlation. Main safety issues included lack of adequate and accessible sidewalks, bollards, pedestrian crossings, signage, shade, and street lighting. Only one segment (R7) achieved grade C, while the remainder scored D or E, indicating poor pedestrian safety conditions and an unpleasant walking experience. The correlation coefficient (0.69) between the PSI and GWI at a 99% significance level validated the safety assessment, providing confidence in the results. A seven-year (2024–2030) safety strategy is proposed to improve all roads to grade B. This strategy contains several interventions, including engineering improvement, which have been proven effective. This study offers evidence for city officials to improve pedestrian safety and informs walking policies and the implementation of upcoming projects. Future research should quantify the recommendations’ benefits and validate indexes with crash or conflict data.

Pedestrian red-light violations and other safety-related behaviours at signalised crosswalks

ABSTRACT In this study, pedestrians’ violation rate at signalised crosswalks and the associated risk factors were investigated. The data for the study were obtained through roadside pedestrian observational surveys at 10 selected crosswalks within Accra Metropolis, Ghana. The associated risk factors for the red-light violations were determined using mixed-effect logistic regression model. The descriptive statistics revealed that the red-light violation rate in the Accra metropolis was approximately 62%. Most (63.5%) of the violations occurred during the evening and on weekends (73.6%). Over 98% of pedestrians demonstrated safety consciousness by way of crossing behaviour before and during crossing by observing oncoming traffic. From the mixed-effect logistics regression model, six independent variables being age, signal cycle length, number of pedestrians crossing at a time, day of the week and pedestrian light observation significantly influenced the risk of red-light violation by pedestrians. Effective law enforcement, education campaigns and engineering measures could be used to reduce the tendency of red-light violations by pedestrians and improve pedestrian safety at signalised crosswalks in the Accra metropolis.

Assessing Traffic Characteristics for Safe Pedestrian Crossings: Developing Warrants for Sustainable Urban Safety

The escalating urbanisation fuelled by population growth and economic expansion has triggered a notable surge in vehicular and pedestrian traffic, amplifying their interaction. Nonetheless, inadequate research, investment, and prioritisation have engendered inefficient pedestrian crossing infrastructures. This study endeavours to bridge this gap by crafting tailored warrants suited to Indian traffic dynamics, facilitating the implementation of pedestrian crossing facilities. Employing PV2 threshold value analysis, this study scrutinises pedestrian behavioural traits, such as gap acceptance and waiting time. Additionally, K-means clustering analysis delineates distinct levels of severity (LOSe), grounded in variables encompassing vehicular and pedestrian flow, gap acceptance, and waiting time. By establishing the nexus between vehicular volume and gap acceptance and vehicular volume and waiting time, a spectrum of PV2 threshold values is delineated. These LOS categories guide the selection of pedestrian facilities, ensuring secure pedestrian–vehicle interactions. Leveraging PV2 charts and vehicular volume assessments, our research identifies fitting pedestrian crossing infrastructures, thereby bolstering road safety for pedestrians and vehicles, underpinning sustainable urban mobility.

Promoting pedestrian safety in Bangladesh: Identifying factors for drivers’ yielding behavior at designated crossings using behavior change theories

Objective In Bangladesh, drivers’ failure to yield to pedestrians at designated crossings poses a significant safety risk and discourages their use of such crossings. The use of behavior change theories could be more appropriate in such complex situations where the interdependent behaviors of drivers and pedestrians interact. While many studies have identified factors that affect drivers’ yielding behavior in the literature, fewer efforts have been made to apply behavior change theories in exploring and validating these factors, and to reach a consensus among competing road users. This study is among the first to utilize behavior change theories in Bangladesh to identify pedestrians’ safety factors that could promote drivers’ yielding behavior, upon which a consensus between drivers and pedestrians could be established. Methods A self-reported attitudinal survey was administered to 202 drivers on two highways in Bangladesh with a questionnaire using the capability, opportunity, motivation, and behavior (COM-B) model for the comprehensive coverage of behavior change theories. The focus group interviews were also conducted with 40 pedestrians and 19 drivers who have experience with four crossing sites on the selected highways. The collected data were analyzed using a regression model to identify significant factors influencing the drivers’ yielding behavior. These factors were then justified using a deductive thematic coding framework based on behavior change theories. Results The regression model explained the variance in drivers’ yielding by 45.1% with eight factors. The model found seven positive significant contributory factors in the drivers’ yielding that could promote pedestrian safety. Of them, the motivation factors were avoiding random crossing by pedestrians, vulnerable groups, assertiveness, and facial fear expressions; and the opportunity factors were traffic signs or advanced yield lines, crossing in groups at specific times, and enforcement. Conclusions The study’s findings have practical implications for policymakers, highway designers, and other stakeholders involved in promoting pedestrian safety by acknowledging their stake in making any decision that might impact them. Highway designers can use the thematic coding framework to recommend any contributory factors involved, where competing drivers’ unwillingness to yield is the primary threat to pedestrians’ safety.

Social perception of the connectivity and quality of sidewalks in the Metropolitan Area of Panama

ABSTRACT Sidewalks have become important for modern cities in order to ensure that their inhabitants can move to their different activities in an optimal and safe manner. This research examines the perception of residents of the metropolitan area of Panama on the connectivity and quality of sidewalks. The study of sidewalks has been generally focused on evaluating accessibility for people with reduced mobility and the elderly; and also, on improving pedestrian safety. Using georeferenced household surveys, we collected data with which we performed spatial analyses to illustrate the distribution of sidewalk conditions in the urban metropolitan area of Panama. In addition, through the use of various approaches, such as accessibility assessments, user surveys and road safety parameters, other analyses of importance to the research were developed. The main conclusion was that only 26.25% of the metropolitan urban area of Panama has sidewalks that allow adequate pedestrian traffic.

Environmental measures to improve pedestrian safety in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review.

This scoping study aims to identify environmental road safety measures implemented in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to reduce pedestrian injuries from collisions with motor vehicles. This review followed Arksey and O'Malley's approach and reported results using the PRISMA-SCR 2018 checklist. A literature review was conducted in Medline, Google Scholar, and the Transport Research International Documentation database using keyword-derived medical subject heading terms. A total of 14 articles met the pre-established inclusion criteria and were analyzed using a data extraction matrix. The findings were categorized methodically into three prominent themes: (1) methods for reducing pedestrian exposure, (2) traffic calming strategies, and (3) measures for enhancing pedestrian visibility. Traffic calming strategies, including vehicular speed reduction, roadway contraction, and vertical and horizontal diversionary tactics, emerged as the most effective interventions for reducing pedestrian injuries within LMICs. Conversely, interventions geared towards minimizing pedestrian exposure, such as zebra crossings, crosswalks controlled by traffic signals, underpasses, or overpasses, often produced minimal effects, and occasionally exacerbated the risk of pedestrian accidents. Lack of pedestrian visibility due to density of street vendors and parked vehicles was associated with a higher risk of injuries, while billboards impaired drivers' attention and increased the likelihood of collisions with pedestrians. In LMICs, the effectiveness of environmental measures in reducing vehicle-pedestrian crashes varies widely. In the face of resource constraints, implementing interventions for pedestrian safety in LMICs necessitates careful prioritization and consideration of the local context.

Roadside inspections, traffic events and traffic accidents from 2010–2022 in the experience of the Institute of Forensic Research as a consulting body in light of the proposed thresholds for the states of ‘after use’ and ‘under the influence’ for THC = Kontrole, zdarzenia i wypadki drogowe z lat 2010–2022 w praktyce opiniodawczej Instytutu Ekspertyz Sądowych w świetle propozycji progów „po

Road traffic safety depends largely on the psychophysical fitness of drivers. Apart from ethyl alcohol, this efficiency is influenced by many other factors, including: presence in the blood of the so-called substances that act similarly to alcohol, and cannabinols constitute one of the most popular groups of these substances. The paper presents statistics on delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis detected in the blood of drivers subjected to 7269 road inspections and involved in 4697 road events and accidents in the years 2010–2022 throughout Poland. Based on the results obtained, it was found that THC is present in the blood of 25–61% of roadside inspection cases, and in the case of road incidents and accidents, 5–15% of drivers have THC in a concentration equal to or higher than 1 ng/ml. The data in the charts are given in relation to two THC concentration ranges: 1.0–2.5 ng/ml and above 2.5 ng/ml (the value proposed as the limit of the state “after use” and “under the influence” of THC) and in relation to concentration ranges based on the THC elimination curve in human serum. The study did not distinguish between chronic or acute participants and occasional participants. It was based on THC and THCCOOH concentrations. The analyzes were performed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent method (ELISA) and confirmatory methods such as liquid and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, in which the limit of quantification of 1 ng/ml was in accordance with the applicable requirement contained in the Regulation of the Minister of Health of July 16, 2014 on the list of similarly acting agents to alcohol and the conditions and method of conducting tests for their presence in the body.

Youth Health Risk Behavior Assessment among University Students in Baghdad, Iraq

INTRODUCTION: Health risk behavior is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. The social and economic costs associated with these behaviors can be reduced by changes in individuals’ behavior. Health-related behavior can either enhance or damage physical, psychological and social wellbeing. Human behavior is influenced by an individual’s health consciousness. OBJECTIVE is to study health related behavior that includes dietary habits, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption, screen time and behavior related to unintentional injury among students attending public universities in Baghdad. METHODS: Study design is Cross Sectional Study; sampling method is multi-stage Cluster sampling. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect student data, a total of 1836 students participated in the study RESULTS: Among the 1836 students who participated in the study, 21.4% are smokers, only 3.4% use seatbelts while driving, 11% took medicine without prescription and 78% did not perform regular exercise. 85% of students use the internet at least three hours per day. Dietary habits of students were average based on diet recommendation. CONCLUSION: Health related behavior traits were average among university students in Baghdad. Policy changes to reinforce stringent road traffic safety measures and initiate regular health promotion programs in universities to motivate students to be more proactive towards their health and fitness.

Children’s ability to estimate approaching vehicle time-to-arrival following training in a virtual pedestrian environment

Objectives Child pedestrian injuries represent a significant public health challenge. Understanding the most complex cognitive skills required to cross streets helps us understand, improve, and protect children in traffic, as underdeveloped cognitive skill likely impacts children’s pedestrian safety. One complex component of street-crossing is the cognitive-perceptual task of judging time-to-arrival of oncoming traffic. We examined capacity of 7- and 8-year-olds to judge time-to-arrival for vehicles approaching from varying distances and speeds, as well as improvement in those judgments following intensive street-crossing training in a virtual reality (VR) pedestrian simulator. Methods 500 seven- and eight-year-olds participated in a randomized trial evaluating use of a large kiosk VR versus smartphone-based VR headset to teach street-crossing skills. Prior to randomization into VR training condition and also prior to initiation of any training, children engaged in a video-based vehicle approach estimation task to assess ability to judge traffic time-to-arrival. They then engaged in multiple VR-based pedestrian safety training sessions in their randomly assigned condition until achieving adult functioning. Soon after training and again 6 months later, children repeated the vehicle estimation task. Results Prior to randomization or training, children were more accurate judging time to arrival for closer versus farther traffic, and rapidly-moving versus slower-moving traffic, but those results were subsumed by a speed x distance interaction. The interaction suggested distance cues were used more prominently than speed cues, and speed had varying effects at different distances. Training group had minimal effect on learning and all children became significantly better at judging vehicle arrival times following training. Conclusions Children tend to underestimate vehicle arrival times. Distance cues are more impactful on time-to-arrival judgments than speed cues, but children’s estimations based both on manipulations of vehicle speed and manipulations of vehicle distance improved post-training. Improvements were retained six months later. This finding is consistent with psychophysics research suggesting vehicle approach judgments rely on optical size and looming, which are impacted both by vehicle speeds and distances. Implementation of VR-based training for child pedestrian safety is recommended, as it may improve children’s judgment of vehicle time-to-arrival, but it must be conducted cautiously to avoid iatrogenic effects.

Numerical and theoretical investigation of crack propagation in the windshield in collision with a dummy headform

Studies show that the impact of the pedestrian head and windshield is a significant contributing factor to casualties in traffic accidents. Accordingly, investigating the mechanical response of the windshield and its failure mechanism is of significant importance in enhancing the safety of pedestrians in car accidents. This study conducted the pedestrian protection head impact test to determine the fracture mode of the windshield, acquire the acceleration curve of the headform impactor, and accurately obtain the peak acceleration and Head Injury Criterion (HIC). Subsequently, to quickly predict HIC and facilitate structural selection in designing automobiles, a theoretical analysis model for predicting peak acceleration was established and validated against the test results. To analyze the damage mechanism in detail, finite element analysis software LS-DYNA was employed to simulate the crack propagation in the windshield based on the peridynamics theory. Through a comparison between the numerical simulation and experimental results, the accuracy of the bond-based peridynamics model was verified, accurately revealing its failure mode and mechanical response to impact. Meanwhile, the peak acceleration and HIC were effectively predicted, which provided an effective approach for vehicle safety evaluation and design.

Violation of road traffic safety rules: theoretical and practical considerations

Synthesizing the phenomenon of road accidents in recent years, it is revealed that they are included in the group of negative phenomena with major implications in the development of relations at the social level. Statistically, it has been highlighted that, as a result of road accidents, there are losses of both human lives and particularly important financial values, which states that the Republic of Moldova is among the countries with a high risk of victimization.

Can zigzag marking improve pedestrian safety at unsignalized crosswalks? An observational before-after study in Israel

Zigzag road marking near unsignalized pedestrian crosswalks is common in some countries but not yet allowed in Israel. An observational before-after study was conducted to explore its impacts on pedestrian crossing conditions. The measure was applied at three midblock urban crosswalks, on dual-carriageway and two-lane roads. The study examined changes in safety-related behaviors by comparing three periods: before the installation, and two weeks and two months afterwards. Shortly after the zigzag application, a significant decrease in average vehicle speeds, of 9%-16%, was observed at all study sites, but in a longer-term a decrease of 7%-8% remained at the dual-carriageway sites only. A relative increase in yielding rates to pedestrians was of 19%-20% in the short-term and of 13%-14% after two months, at dual-carriageway sites, with no change at the two-lane site. Overall, zigzag marking may improve pedestrian safety. However, as the effects were inconsistent, it was not recommended for widespread use.

RETA: 4D Radar-Based End-to-End Joint Tracking and Activity Estimation for Low-Observable Pedestrian Safety in Cluttered Traffic Scenarios

RETA: 4D Radar-Based End-to-End Joint Tracking and Activity Estimation for Low-Observable Pedestrian Safety in Cluttered Traffic Scenarios

Devising a method for improving pedestrian traffic safety when crossing railroad tracks by implementing an information system with a fixed warning time

The object of research is pedestrian safety when crossing railroad tracks at pedestrian crossings. A method for improving the safety of pedestrian traffic when crossing railroad tracks within the area approaching the railroad pedestrian crossing has been developed, by introducing an information system for warning pedestrians about train movement with a fixed warning time. Experimental measurements of the speed of the rolling stock were carried out in the area approaching the pedestrian crossing over the railroad track. With the mixed movement of trains, it was found that the lowest speed of the train was 67.46 km/h, and the highest was the passenger train – 131.9 km/h. At the same time, the speed of freight trains ranged from 74 to 79 km/h. Such data are needed to determine the speed of the rolling stock on the approach to the crossing or transition, which will allow the light and sound signal to be turned on in time when the movement of a pedestrian across the track will be dangerous. The methodology for calculating the length of the approach section to the pedestrian crossing, depending on the speed of the rolling stock, has been given. It was established that the speed of the rolling stock has a significant effect on the length of the approach section. At the lowest measured speed of the train – 67.46 km/h, the length of the approach section was 317.46 m, and when the passenger train was moving at a speed of 131.9 km/h – 620.68 m. For a single-track section of the railroad, a fixed time has been established for warning pedestrians about the approach of a train to the crossing. It is a constant value that is included in the warning information system on a single-track section, and after it, a complex light and sound alarm with an information board is activated, which will warn the pedestrian about the movement of the train. The method for improving the safety of pedestrian traffic with a fixed time of the pedestrian’s anticipation of the train movement could be used at crossings with pedestrian traffic, as a supplement to the crossing signaling subsystem in railroad transport. It can also be used at equipped pedestrian crossings over railroad tracks in urbanized areas. The advantage of introducing such a method is a fixed time to warn the pedestrian, in each specific case of the train approaching the crossing

A macroscopic safety indicator for road segment: application of entropy theory

Road traffic safety is confronted with unique challenges worldwide due to the varied road network, high population density, and the rapid increase in vehicle numbers. This necessitates an effective evaluation of traffic safety at the road segment level to improve traffic safety management. Existing safety indicators, such as crash frequency (which lacks real-time availability) and Surrogate Safety Measures (focused on micro-level interactions), fall short in quantifying the overall safety status of road segments. To overcome these limitations, we introduce the concept of entropy, typically used to measure disorder in complex systems, into road traffic safety assessment. Our research presents a novel macroscopic safety indicator named ‘velocity entropy,’ along with its calculation method, which involves discretization and the Parzen window technique. The efficacy of velocity entropy is validated using the UTE dataset, a high-fidelity trajectory dataset from China, showing a more significant correlation with traffic conflicts than other macroscopic traffic properties. Notably, velocity entropy can track the temporal and spatial evolution of traffic safety, providing insights into the dynamic development of traffic risks. Overall, velocity entropy offers an innovative, practical, and theoretically meaningful tool for assessing and predicting road safety.

Effect of Impact Speed and Position of Pedestrian on Lower Extremity Injuries Caused by a Pickup Truck in Traffic Accidents

Pedestrians often suffer severe injuries in road traffic accidents. Therefore, pedestrian safety and, more precisely, analysis of injuries of the knee joint and lower limb bones were the focus of this research. A Vietnamese-sized human body model (HBM), named V-THUMS, scaled from the Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS) representing a walking pedestrian, was utilized in a numerical simulation. A pickup truck model was used to simulate pedestrian collisions with impact speeds from 20 km/h to 50 km/h. To reduce the computational time, the pickup truck model was simplified. In addition, the collision angle was varied from 0o, 30o, 60o, 90o, -30o, -60o to -90o to explore the effect of angle position on the injury mechanisms of the leg. The results illustrate that in some cases at low speeds there is a relationship between bone fracture and ligament rupture that does not exist at high speeds. The femur is very difficult to fracture because the bone is very hard and thick. It was found that at 20 km/h impact speed, the lower limbs are unharmed.

Driving Style Recognition Method Based on Risk Field and Masked Learning Techniques

With the increasing demand for road traffic safety assessment, global concerns about road safety have been rising. This is particularly evident with the widespread adoption of V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) technology, where people are more intensively focused on how to leverage advanced technological means to effectively address challenges in traffic safety. Through the research of driving style recognition technology, accurate assessment of driving behavior and the provision of personalized safety prompts and warnings have become crucial for preventing traffic accidents. This paper proposes a risk field construction technique based on environmental data collected by in-vehicle sensors. This paper introduces a driving style recognition algorithm utilizing risk field visualization and mask learning technologies. The research results indicate that, compared to traditional classical models, the improved algorithm performs excellently in terms of accuracy, stability, and robustness, enhancing the accuracy of driving style recognition and enabling a more effective evaluation of road safety.