Completed 2018 Rapid Response Research Project
Explaining the Rise in Pedestrian Fatalities: A Safe Systems Approach
Principal Investigator
Laura Sandt
Highway Safety Research Center
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
View Bio
Co-Principal Investigator
Becky Naumann
Injury Prevention Research Center
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Final Report
Project Slide Deck
Research Brief
Summary
Pedestrian fatalities increased to 5,987 in 2016, compared to 5,495 (2015) and 4,910 (2014), or an increase of 22% in the past 2 years. This is particularly alarming after so many years of decreasing pedestrian fatalities nationwide since the early 1970s.
The purpose of this project is to convene a diverse group of cross-sector experts and examine available data sources to explore the underlying and complex factors driving the national rise in pedestrian deaths and share and develop insights into strategies to prevent pedestrian injuries and deaths.
Through interactive workshops and data review, this project will examine:
(1) the issues driving the rapid increase in pedestrian deaths;
(2) hypotheses about the problem that deserve further research and exploration; and
(3) potential high-value opportunities that improve pedestrian safety, beyond traditional transportation agency interventions.
Ultimately, this project will inform future efforts to support USDOT, states, and local communities interested in utilizing a broader array of policy levers to advance pedestrian safety goals. The project is also designed to put innovative systems science tools and theory to work, demonstrating a powerful means for examining underlying drivers of complex problems and exploring effective leverage points for interventions.
Publications
- Naumann, R.B., Sandt, L., Kumfer, W. et al. Systems Thinking in the Context of Road Safety: Can Systems Tools Help us Realize a True “Safe Systems” Approach?. Curr Epidemiol Rep 7, 343–351 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40471-020-00248-z
- Naumann, R. B., Kuhlberg, J., Sandt, L., Heiny, S., Kumfer, W., Marshall, S. W., & Lich, K. H. (2019). Integrating complex systems science into road safety research and practice, Part 2: Applying systems tools to the problem of increasing pedestrian death rates. Injury Prevention. https://doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2019-043316
- Naumann, R. B., Kuhlberg, J., Sandt, L., Heiny, S., Apostolopoulos, Y., Marshall, S. W., & Lich, K. H. (2020, April 1). Integrating complex systems science into road safety research and practice, part 1: review of formative concepts. Injury Prevention. BMJ Publishing Group. https://doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2019-043315
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Sandt, L. S., Proescholdbell, S. K., Evenson, K. R., Robinson, W. R., Rodríguez, D. A., Harmon, K. J., & Marshall, S. W. (2020). Comparative analysis of pedestrian injuries using police, emergency department, and death certificate data sources in North Carolina, U.S., 2007–2012. Transportation Research Record: The Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 036119812093150. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198120931504
Project Details
Project Type: | Research |
Project Status: | Completed |
Start Date: | 3-14-2018 |
End Date: | 4-30-2020 |
Contract Year: | 2018, Rapid Response |
Total Funding from CSCRS: | $53,000 |
Collaborating Organizations: | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill |