Examining the Design and Developmental Factors Associated with Crashes Involving Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Motorists in Urban Environments (SWUTC/12/161107-1)

Using a parcel-level database of crash incidence and urban form developed for the San Antonio-Bexar County metropolitan region, this study examined how urban form-related variables affect the incidence of crashes involving pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. Arterial thoroughfares, strip commercial uses, and big box stores-which include design features expressly intended to support automobile travel-were found to be associated with significant increases in crashes involving pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists alike. Population density was found to be associated with increased crash incidence among pedestrians, although this is likely a function of increased crash exposure due to the higher levels of pedestrian activity occurring in higher density environments. The presence of pedestrian-scaled commercial and retail uses, which is likewise associated with increased pedestrian travel, was nonetheless found to be associated with statistically significant reductions in the incidence of multiple-vehicle, fixed-object, and pedestrian crashes. Given that the developmental risk factors that affect pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists proved to be largely the same, this report outlines potential strategies for addressing urban crash incidence in a comprehensive, multimodal manner.