There’s a Problem with Walking

Engineers are tackling the problem of rising pedestrian fatalities

Pedestrian fatalities have been increasing at an alarming rate. According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA), pedestrian fatalities jumped by 35% from 2008 to 2017. In an additional GHSA report, there was a 4% increase in pedestrian deaths from motor vehicle crashes from 2017 to 2018. Such an increase makes it the largest annual increase since 1990.

So why could this be happening?

If you think it has to do mostly with pedestrian device-induced distractions, you would be wrong. In 2017, New York State lawmakers ordered a study based on “the dangers of being a distracted pedestrian.” The study found “little concrete evidence that device-induced distracted walking contributes significantly to pedestrian fatalities and injuries.” In the U.S. over the last six years, pedestrian deaths involving portable devices never rose above 0.2%. However, wireless device usage drastically increased 4000% percent from 2010 to 2017. Research has not been able to pinpoint exactly why there has been such a jump in pedestrian fatalities, but experts believe that technological distractions could play a major role.

Distractions will always exist in some form, so traffic engineers are finding their own ways to address this problem.

Some of these engineering solutions include:

1. Increasing street lighting
   • There is almost a 50% drop in crashes involving pedestrians when street lighting is enhanced.
2. Minimizing pedestrian-vehicle conflicts through:
   • Narrowing an intersection, which reduces the crossing length
   • Reducing speeds
   • Traffic signal phasing
3. Eliminating travel lanes, particularly in suburbs

At Bergman Engineering we have extensive experience in accident reconstruction cases, many involving pedestrians. We use our expertise in engineering as well as codes and standards to help bring clarity to complex cases. To learn more about our services click here.

Resources:

Boykin, Danielle. “Danger on the Streets.” PE, Jan. 2020, pp. 20-23.