Houston East End Safety Study: Final Report

The Center for Transportation Safety conducted a study for the Houston-Galveston Area Council to determine why the Houston East End had such a high concentration of crashes (especially involving children) and to recommend countermeasures. Researchers identified preventable crash patterns, determined remedial safety improvement countermeasures, related estimated improvement costs to potential crash reduction benefits, and made calculations of the Safety Improvement Index for all recommended countermeasures. This report analyzes crash investigation reports and street operational data, along with extensive field studies and observations. The report recommends countermeasures of striping and raised pavement marker application on US 90 Alternate mainlane and intersection safety improvements on US 90 Alternate. While also cost-beneficial, the recommended safety improvements associated with parking restrictions to improve sight distance at other Stop-controlled intersections will be controversial and potentially the most difficult politically to implement. The last recommended safety improvement countermeasure involves redesigned and constructed driveway access in the 6800 Block of Harrisburg. The report gives the total initial estimated cost for implementation of all recommended engineering safety improvements as approximately $160,000 to reduce annual vehicle collisions by approximately 30 crashes, representing an estimated annual cost savings of over $550,000. These are preventable crashes susceptible to remediation by engineering countermeasures. The preponderance of crashes (and pedestrian/bicycle conflicts) occurring within the East End are behaviorally influenced by speed, alcohol, parental supervision, etc. Remediation or reduction in the frequency of these crashes is dependent and influenced by both increased and diligent law enforcement and/or continued and increased school and community traffic safety education programs.