Agenda - Public Works Committee - 09/15/2009

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PEDSAFE: crash statistics were male, and the male pedestrian Injury rate was 58 percent higher than for females.~ Rates fl?r older persons (age 65 and over) are lower than for most age groups, which may reflect greater caution by older pedestrians (e.g., less walking at night, fewer dart-outs) and a reduced amount of walking near traffic. However, older adult pedestrians are much more vulnerable to serious injury or death when struck by a motor vehicle than younger pedestrians. For example, the percentage of pedestrian crashes resulting In death exceeds 20 percent for pedestrians over age 75, compared to less than 8 percent for pedestrians under age 14.;'M Page 2 01'3 Craeh involvement rates per 100,000 people are highest for young msles. Area Type Pedestrian crashes occur most frequently in urban areas where pedestrian activity and traffic volumes are greater compared to rural areas. The National Safety Council estimates that 85.7 percent of all non-fatal pedestrian crashes In the United States occur in urban areas and 14.3 percent occur in rural areas. Seventy-two percent of all pedestrian fatalities in 2003 occurred in urban areas.;;: . The percentage of rural fatalities relative to the total number of rural pedestrian crashes is more than doubled. In many cases, this is due to increased vehicle speeds found on rural roads. In addition, many rural areas have no sidewalks, : paths, or shoulders to serve as separated pedestrian facilities. location Type In terms of crash location, 65 The majority of all pedestrian orashes oocur In percent of crashes involving urban areas where pedestrian aotlvity and traffic . volumee are greatest. pedestrians occur at non- intersections. This is particularly true for pedestrians under age 9, primarily because of dart-outs into the street. For ages 45 to 65, pedestrian crashes are approximately equal for intersections and non-Intersections. Pedestrians age 65 and older are more likely to be injured or killed at intersections (59 percent) compared to non-Intersections (41 percent), since older pedestrians tend to cross at intersections more often than younger ones,9 Moreover, some older pedestrians have diminished physical and visual abilities that make street crossings more challenging. I n recent years, an emphasis has VVlde multilane roadways without adequate orosslng lelands been placed on Improving the design criteria used by engineers to oreate an unsafe environment for many pedlletrlane. ensure that the needs of all users are being met; the Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians Is one resource. Q Times oi Occurrence Pedestrian crashes are most prevalent during morning and afternoon peak periods, when the traffic levels are highest. Fatal pedestrian crashes typically peak later in the day, between 5 and 11 p.m., where darkness and alcohol use are factors.? In 2003, 54 percent of the pedestrian fatalities occurred between 4 p.m. and midnight. Nearly one-half of all pedestrian fatalities Pedeetrlans sometlmllS ohoose Ihll most direct path, which often clsces them at oreater rlak. http://www. walkinginfo. org/pedsafe/ crashstats, cfm 8/19/2009