424 traffic fatalities were recorded in Seoul in 2010 and 227 of them (54%) involved pedestrian crashes. Surprisingly, 40% of these pedestrian fatalities occurred whilst pedestrians were jaywalking, implying that one jaywalker got killed every four days in Seoul and precious lives can be saved if effective methods preventing jaywalk crashes are applied. This research proposes such methods. The approach applied in the research includes literature reviews, collection of demographical and vehicle characteristics, as well as geometric features of jaywalk crash sites. Application of statistical analysis and an examination of jaywalk crashes that occurred during past years were also carried out to understand contributing factors. Important findings from the research indicate that crosswalk spacing rules need to be flexible to allow neighboring crosswalks to sit very closely to prevent jaywalking. Human factor analysis showed that high speed drivers over represent in offenders of fatal crashes whilst jaywalking. In terms of pedestrians, the elderly was the vulnerable age group. More pedestrians were hit jaywalking by taxis and buses. Road and environment factors showed both expected and contradictory results when total numbers of lane or dry/icy pavement conditions were subject to analysis. It is expected that our results will be used in discussing pedestrian safety, as well as understanding increased strategies to prevent pedestrian fatalities. (Author/publisher)
Abstract