Analyzing Pedestrian Safety Near Bus Stops in Northern Virginia

Abstract

In the US, traffic-related pedestrian crashes have seen a significant increase, resulting in a higher rate of pedestrian fatalities. From 2012 to 2022, pedestrian fatalities rose by 56%, compared to a 26% increase in all motor vehicle deaths. In Virginia, pedestrian fatalities accounted for 18% of all traffic-related deaths in 2022, marking a 50% increase from 2017. These alarming statistics highlight the need to identify factors contributing to pedestrian crashes to implement effective countermeasures. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has developed several projects to improve pedestrian safety, including the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP), the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), and the Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment (VRUSA). These reports emphasize the importance of addressing pedestrian safety and countermeasures to reduce pedestrian fatalities. A key finding included that, in Virginia between 2018 and 2022, about 26% of pedestrian fatalities on non-limited access roads occurred within 150 ft of a bus stop. This research analyzed pedestrian crashes in Northern Virginia (NOVA) to understand factors that may contribute to pedestrian crashes near bus stops. By analyzing pedestrian crash data from 2018 to 2024, bus stop locations, and census data, the study compared crashes within 150 ft of a bus stop to those more than 500 ft away. Some key findings include that crashes within 150 ft of a bus stop were 3.1 times more likely to be near an intersection than crashes more than 500 ft from a bus stop. Crashes near bus stops were more likely to occur near traffic signals, while those farther away were more likely to occur where only traffic lanes were marked or without traffic control. Crashes near bus stops occurred more frequently on arterial roads, while those farther away from bus stops occurred more frequently on local roads. For crashes in the dark, crashes far from bus stops were less likely to have road lighting, which resulted in a higher proportion of severe or fatal crashes. Finally, crashes near bus stops were more likely to occur in areas with higher bus stops per capita, higher walkability scores, and higher population density, but lower overall social determinants of health. Some factors that were not influenced by the crash distance to the nearest bus stop included the traffic control device, weather or road conditions, or whether the crash was a hit and run. This research provides insights into the relationship between bus stop proximity and pedestrian crash risk, emphasizing the need for targeted safety improvements in NOVA’s bus system.