The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) identified several high-frequency pedestrian/bicyclist crash locations through the Pedestrian Roadway Safety Audit (PRSA) Program. Recognizing an over-representation of pedestrian and bicyclist crashes related to illegal mid-block crossings, various median treatments (e.g., fencing, vegetation planter) and safety enhancement countermeasures were implemented at target locations. While median treatments are generally perceived as effective, this study seeks to quantify their impact and compare the effectiveness of different types of median treatments. Before and after data were collected at 30 treatment and control sites. Data collected included: vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle volumes; site geometry; before and after crash counts and severity; and business/community and pedestrian/bicyclist assessment of safety countermeasures. The research team applied trend analysis and statistical analysis to assess the effectiveness of installed countermeasures. The trend analysis focused on the general crash trend. Statistical modeling methods were employed to link bicycle and pedestrian crashes to median treatments and other influencing variables, such as site geometry, traffic volume, truck percentages, pedestrian/bicyclist volumes, traffic control devices, street lighting, and sight distance. The Empirical Bayes methods separated the effect of median treatments from effects of other factors. To investigate public opinion on median treatments and pedestrian/bicyclist safety, on-site pedestrian and bicyclist surveys were conducted at study locations. The results of these surveys offered valuable insights on (1) pedestrian/cyclist opinions on the existing median treatments; (2) reasons for engaging in illegal mid-block crossing; (3) alternative treatments at the study locations; and (4) other considerations regarding pedestrian/bicyclist safety improvement. The surveys were supplemented with business and community interest group interviews. The results shed light on the socio-demographic factors that may influence attitudes toward the installed median treatments. Results of the trend analysis showed that treatment sites (where median treatments have been installed) experienced lower or similar crash rates for all crash types after the treatment, while control sites (no median treatments) experience higher crash rates during the same time period. The statistical analysis showed a significant reduction in total crash rates and fatalities because of the treatments. The median treatments installed at the 16 sites have reduced the number of total crashes by 122 (14%), the number of severe crashes by 33 (9%), and the number of fatal crashes by 24 (86%). Survey results showed that more than 50% of pedestrians and bicyclists are likely to cross roads mid-block, but median treatments are effective in discouraging it. An in-depth examination of high pedestrian/bicyclist crash sites can be the subject of a future study to supplement the PRSA program. Utilizing new technologies to collect pedestrian and bicycle data may also help support the PRSA program and other pedestrian/bicyclist safety programs in Maryland. (Author/publisher)
Abstract