Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions

Conference Track:  Engineering & Public Service

Selection1:       Paper

Language:         English

Keywords:         pedestrian, safety, crashes, fatalities, urban

Contact Title:    Dr.

Contact First Name: Benjamín

Contact Last Name:  Colucci-Ríos

University:       University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus

Web:              http://www.civil.uprm.edu

Position:         Professor

Country:          Puerto Rico

Email:            benjamincolucci@aol.com

Fax:              (787) 265-5695

Paper Title:

Analysis and Evaluation of Pedestrian Crashes in Urban Highways of Puerto Rico

Abstract:

Pedestrians, one of the four major components in the design of urban highways and streets, represent a serious problem of traffic crash fatalities in the United States and Puerto Rico.  According to the Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) for the year 2001, the states that have the maximum pedestrian fatalities in the United States in terms of the percentage of all traffic fatalities are New York with 22.4% and Hawaii with 21.4%.  In comparison, Puerto Rico has a critical situation since pedestrian fatalities represent 34.7% of all traffic fatalities.

This research arises from the lack of pedestrian research studies in Puerto Rico and is intended to characterize the pedestrian problem in urban areas in the Island in terms of the number of pedestrians injured and killed as a result of traffic crashes.  The methodology followed includes: 1) performing a literature review 2) obtaining the latest crash databases that includes urban highways; 3) interviewing professionals with key positions related to highway safety and pedestrian crashes; 4) conducting a reconnaissance survey of specific highway sections and create clusters of urban segments; 5) selecting a statistical technique for an in-depth analysis of the crash data; 6) statistical analysis of urban segment clusters; 7) summarizing the results of the analysis and evaluation of pedestrian crashes in urban areas in the Island; and 8) making recommendations that have the potential to reduce pedestrian crashes in the urban network of Puerto Rico.

Descriptive statistics were used to obtain preliminary results.  These results indicate that: more than 75% of pedestrian crashes occurred in urban areas; about 70% occurred in level highways; 87% took place in clear/good visibility/no rain weather conditions; 65% of pedestrian were males; 49% occurred between 6:00 PM and midnight; 20% took place on Saturdays while other weekdays have less than 17%.  On the average, the months of December and August had the highest and lowest frequencies of pedestrian crashes (11% and 6%, respectively); 79% were pedestrians older than 32 years of age; and 32% of fatalities were related to the use of alcohol.  In addition, the crashes are distributed throughout the municipalities with a higher representation in the urban areas.  The municipalities of Arecibo (3.7%), Caguas (4%), Carolina (5.7%), Mayagüez (3.1%), Ponce (3.6%), Río Piedras (5.3%), Bayamón (5.7%) and Santurce (3%) are those more represented in pedestrian crashes.   These preliminary results indicate the following trends: pedestrian crashes mostly occur in urban areas; with a higher frequency in males of medium to old age; crash events are most probable during high commercial and high alcohol consuming seasons; pedestrian crashes are not necessarily related to bad weather or adverse geometric characteristics; and higher percentage of pedestrian crashes occur during nighttime.

With the preliminary findings and results obtained on pedestrian crashes in urban settings, in future phases of the research recommendations will be developed regarding improvements to be considered for the planning phase, and recommendations to the Highway and Transportation Authority of Puerto Rico, the Accidents Analysis Office, the Traffic Safety Commission and the Police Department of Puerto Rico agencies including potential legislation related to pedestrian enforcement and education campaign.

Mailing Address:

University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, Department of Civil Engineering, CI-105 A, Mayaguez, P.R. 00680

Phone: (787) 834-6385

Authors:

Lynnette Alicea-León, BSCE, EIT, Graduate Student / lynnette_alicea@yahoo.com / University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus / (P)

Dr. Benjamín Colucci-Ríos, P.E., PTOE / bcolucci@ce.uprm.edu / University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus / (P)

Dr. Felipe Luyanda-Villafañe, P.E. / fluyanda@ce.uprm.edu / University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus / (P)

Dr. Julio Quintana-Díaz / Quintana@math.uprm.edu / University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus