Proactively identify and prioritize transit stops with features associated with higher pedestrian crash risk and conduct outreach activities to improve pedestrian safety.
Benefits to Texas Transportation Safety
Proactive Risk Identification: The systemic approach allows for early identification of high-risk locations, enabling targeted interventions before crashes occur.
Behavioral Change: Educational materials and outreach efforts aim to influence pedestrian and driver behavior, promoting safer interactions near transit stops.
Community Engagement: The campaign fostered positive public response, with meaningful interactions and feedback from diverse community members.
Scalability: The methodology and outreach model can be replicated in other cities, enhancing pedestrian safety statewide.
Data-Driven Decision Making: The scoring system and variable analysis provide a robust framework for prioritizing safety improvements.
Project Need and Approach
Pedestrian fatalities in Texas and across the U.S. remain alarmingly high, especially near bus stops. In 2022, Texas recorded 830 pedestrian deaths and over 1,500 severe injuries, with many crashes occurring at midblock locations. Bus stops are often located in areas where pedestrians must cross the streets without marked or controlled crossings, increasing crash risk. To effectively address pedestrian safety near bus stops, this project emphasized the importance of identifying and analyzing systemic risk factors rather than relying solely on historical crash data. This approach allows for proactive safety improvements by targeting roadway features that are statistically associated with pedestrian crashes, such as lack of lighting, absence of marked crosswalks, and proximity to high-speed roads. By developing a scoring system based on these variables, the study was able to prioritize bus stops for outreach and intervention, ensuring that limited resources were directed toward locations with the greatest potential for safety enhancement. This method not only improves efficiency but also supports equitable safety planning by incorporating socioeconomic and demographic data into the risk assessment.
Project Activities
The project was executed in several phases:
Site Selection:
- Bus stop and crash data were collected from Sun Metro and TxDOT’s CRIS database, respectively.
- A 250-foot radius around each bus stop was used to obtain the historical crashes.
- Stops were categorized based on crash frequency and passenger activity.
- A scoring system was developed to identify high-risk stops using variables such as traffic volume, intersection proximity, lighting, crosswalk presence, and socioeconomic factors.
Outreach Material Development:
- Custom materials were created for El Paso audiences, including:
- Pedestrian and driver safety tip cards (English and Spanish)
- Interior bus posters (English and Spanish)
- Handheld fans with safety messages (English and Spanish)
- Materials emphasized Texas pedestrian laws and safe crossing behaviors.
- The campaign tagline was “Walk Smart. Walk Safe.”
Outreach Activities:
- Materials were distributed at 80 high-risk bus stops.
- Over 2,200 items were handed out, including tip cards and fans.
- Social media campaigns were launched via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X, featuring safety tips, quizzes, and videos.
- Interior bus posters were installed in 962 Sun Metro buses and they will be active for several months.
- Outreach materials were also made available on the project website: walkbikesafetexas.org/walksmart
Project Title: Improving Pedestrian Safety Near Transit Stops in El Paso, Texas
Project Start and End Dates: October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025
Author List: Srinivas Geedipally, Valeria Martinez, and Mohammad Anis
Sponsor/Funding Source: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)