In order to help prevent pedestrian accidents, it is necessary to identify the environment and circumstances of the accidents and the characteristics of the persons involved. To study these issues a three component model has been elaborated, the first component included characteristic of the environment at the locus of the accident, the second component characteristics related to the driver involved in the accident and the type of vehicle and the third component characteristics relating to the fatally-injured pedestrian. Using a logistic regression as a method of analysis we decompose the variation in fatal pedestrian automobile accidents between the city of Montreal and the periphery of the region of Montreal. Results of the study showed that age of the pedestrian killed in traffic collisions is an important explanatory variable for the two territories. The elderly are more likely to be involved in fatal pedestrian crashes than are the other age groups. Some variables related to the characteristics of the driver and those of the striking vehicle were included in the final model but there are some differences between the two territories for example, high posted speed limits is associated with fatal pedestrian crashes within the city of Montreal but was not statistically significant at the periphery. Variables related to the characteristics of the environment at the site of the accident were roadway alignment and lighting conditions. Roadway alignment (grade-curve and flat-straight categories) is an important exploratory variable for the periphery and lighting conditions - roadway lighted at night for the city of Montreal. In conclusion, from the demographic and environmental point of view, it is important to make a distinction between geographical areas for exploring the mechanisms by which certain population groups may experience higher rather than lower rates of pedestrian fatal injuries. For the covering abstract see ITRD E128239.
Abstract