1. Application of Demographic Analysis to Pedestrian Safety
Darryll Dockstader, Research Center Manager
Florida Department of Transportation
Project Managed by: Mr. Mark Plass, FDOT District 4 Traffic Operations Engineer
Research conducted by: Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of South Florida
Dr. Pei-Sung Lin (PI)
Dr. Achilleas Kourtellis (Co-PI)
Dr. Yu Zhang (Co-PI)
Dr. Rui Guo (Researcher)
Ms. Elzbieta Bialkowska-Jelinska (GIS Analyst)

2. Problem Statement
How can FDOT leverage its investment in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other data sources to effectively enhance pedestrian safety in low income areas?
FDOT invests significant resources to enhance pedestrian safety
This investment needs to be effective, systematic, and equitable
Pedestrian safety appears disproportionally worse in low income areas nationally
FDOT needs a methodology to effectively enhance pedestrian safety in low income areas
Pedestrian fatality rates in low-income areas were approximately twice those of more affluent neighborhoods.
Examining Census tract poverty rates yielded a similar pattern—the country’s poorest neighborhoods have the highest per-capita pedestrian fatalities

3. Research Methodology
Step 1. Data Collection and Compilation Step 2. Data Preparation by Analysis Unit Step 3. GIS Visualization and Spatial Analysis Step 4. Statistical Tests and Modeling Step 5. Presentation of Results of Data Analysis Step 6. Education and Engineering Countermeasures

4. Research Results
Effects of Demographics on Crash Frequency for Pedestrians
when there is an increase in public transit or bike-to-work travel, low education level, zero-car ownership, minority population in a low-income block group (BG) area
when there is an increase in older population in a low-income BG area
Effects of Road Factors on Crash Frequency for Pedestrians
when there is an increase in intersection number, traffic signal number, and bus stop location per mile in a low-income BG area
when there is an increase in proportion of lower-speed roads in a low-income BG area
Effects of Land Use Types on Crash Frequency for Pedestrians
when there is a presence of a Walmart store in a low-income BG area
when there is an increase in the density (#/square miles) of discount stores, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, grocery stores and barber shops in a low-income BG area
Effects of Individual Characteristics on Injury Severity for Pedestrians
for older pedestrian by 11.61%; for pedestrian in travel lane - not crosswalk by 11.20%; for dart/dash by 4.91%; impaired pedestrian by 70.32%; for pedestrian by 19.64% due to aggressive drivers
Effects of Environmental Factors on Injury Severity for Pedestrians
by 21.56% for dark / not lighted condition; by 18.82% for dark / lighted condition; by 6.33% for bad weather condition
by 11.19% because of lower speed limit; by 6.84% because of installation of proper traffic control devices

5. Research Recommendations
Major Engineering Countermeasures
Roadway lighting and lighting levels
Presence of lighting
Adequate lighting level and uniformity
Proper pedestrian lighting placement
Treatments at non-intersection locations
Midblock pedestrian crossing signals (RRFBs, HAWKs)
High-visibility crosswalk
Medians and crossing islands
Appropriate landscaping
Bus stop improvements
Bus stop reallocation
Transit stop request lights
Speed reduction treatments
Slow speed zones
Road diets
Roundabouts
Traffic calming on residential streets
Road Safety Audits (RSA)
Major Educational / Outreach Plans
WalkWise safety education
Distribution of education tip cards
Social media outreach
Community networking
Business sweeps
Law enforcement role call training
Public-private partnerships

6. Implementation Status
The District 4 office is systematically implementing the methodology and recommendations included in this research.
The Traffic Studies Business Plan incorporated this methodology to identify and review neglected corridors throughout District 4.
Lighting retrofit projects have been implemented in areas with a high incidence of pedestrian night time crashes. District 4 intends to use this methodology to identify areas where lighting retrofits are most needed.
District 4 will coordinate with the Community Traffic Safety Teams (CTSTs) to develop targeted public information and educational campaigns based on the area’s demographics.
The Office of Traffic Operations and Modal Development in District 4 are working together to improve the coordination between the Department and transit agencies. This coordination will facilitate the implementation of transit safety related countermeasures at many locations including those that may be identified through this methodology.
Lighting Retrofit: Based on the research, the most influential environmental factor for severe injury in ped crashes is a dark non-lighted condition.

7. Implementation Status (cont.)
District 4 is developing a methodology that reflects the research to install pedestrian barriers, where appropriate.
District 4 is working on creating a bicycle/pedestrian GIS application that will implement this research by using demographic filters to find candidate locations for improvements.
District 4 intends to incorporate this methodology into the Road Safety Audit(RSA) process to find locations and target emphasis areas in the Florida Strategic Highway Safety Plan (FSHSP) including vulnerable road users, and aging/teen drivers.

8. Implementation Strategy
The methodology will be used throughout the District to target new locations and implement countermeasures.
The locations already identified in this research will be used to develop safety studies/implement recommendations outlined in the research.
The methodology presented in this research will be incorporated into the District 4 safety project development process.
District 4 is working with FDOT Central Office to develop a training program that will facilitate implementation of this project statewide. The first step in this process was to present a webinar on this research to FDOT Central Office.

9. Value of Implementing the Research
Raising awareness about high pedestrian risk in low income areas
Providing new tools/methodology to leverage our investment in GIS’s resources
Encouraging safe pedestrian behavior through targeted education/outreach plans
Ultimately reducing fatalities and severe injuries

10. Return on Investment
Use the Department’s existing Return on Investment (ROI) methodology to assess the effectiveness of improvements that are identified/implemented through this pedestrian demographics methodology.
Report ROI investment results and use those results to refine methodology and its associated recommended countermeasures.
Include the bullets above in the Department's Strategic Highway Safety Plan.
What was the benefit vs cost of research?