Association between intersection characteristics and perceived crash risk among school-aged children. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Gain; Park, Yuna; Kim, Jeongseob; Cho, Gi-Hyoug
• Is Part Of: Accident analysis and prevention. Volume 97(2016)
• Page Start: 111
• Page End: 121
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Perceived crash risk -- Pedestrian -- Intersection -- Children -- Safety; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Accident Prevention -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prévention -- Périodiques; 363.106
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2016.09.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-4575

Abstract

Highlights: Intersection characteristics associated with perceived crash risk are examined. School-aged children have a relatively accurate perception of crash risk. Associations with traffic −calming measures are weak. Enhancing visibility at intersections can reduce potential crash risks for children. Abstract: This research examined how environmental attributes near intersections influence the perceived crash risk among school-aged children, which provides information on the potential risks of pedestrian crashes that can guide the development of proactive countermeasures. In a sample of 799 children aged 10–12 years old in Korea, the environmental attributes of intersections perceived as having a high risk of producing crashes near elementary schools were investigated using standard negative binomial and zero-inflated negative binomial models.The results showed that a higher number of student crossings, a wider road width, the presence of crosswalks, student-friendly facilities at the intersection, and four-way intersections were significant and positively associated with perceived crash risk among school-aged children. The findings related to building characteristics indicated that a higher number of entrances at an intersection increased the perceived crash risk while higher visibility at the intersection reduced the perception of risk. Associations with traffic-calming measures were weak, suggesting that the measures used in the study areas were not effective in reducing the perceived crash risk. The results of a police-reported crash model showed that school-aged children have a relatively accurate perception of crash risk and that the perceived crash risk of school-aged children may provide valuable information on the intersection characteristics in need of attention near school sites.