A Systemic Pedestrian Safety Planning Tool for Rural and Small Urban Areas

University Montana State University
Principal Investigators Amir Jamali
PI Contact Information

Western Transportation Institute
Montana State University
PO Box 174250, Bozeman, MT 59717
• (406) 994-7526, dkack@montana.edu

Funding Source(s) (Amounts provided by each agency or organization)
Small Urban and Rural Livability Center – $96,859
Montana State University – $49,238
Total Project Cost $146,097
Agency ID or Contract Number

SURLC 18-009

End Date July 2018
Abstract

Brief Description of Research Project

In 2015, a pedestrian was killed every 1.6 hours in the United States, and another was injured every 7.5 minutes in a traffic crash. Pedestrian safety is even worse in rural and small urban areas. The fatality rate for pedestrians per 100 million vehicle miles traveled is 2.5 times higher in rural areas than in urban areas (1.88 in rural and 0.73 in urban).

Rural settings present unique challenges related to data availability, built environment, and travel behaviors, which require a context-sensitive study like this dissertation work.

Implementation of Research Outcomes (or why not implemented)  This research should help state DOTs, county road (transportation) departments and local rural communities examine their built environment and determine how to improve conditions/infrastructure so that it is safe for people to walk in rural and small urban areas.
Impacts/Benefits of Implementation (actual, not anticipated)  Impacts not yet determined, as this project was just completed.
Web Links Report: A Systemic Pedestrian Safety Planning Tool for Rural and Small Urban Areas SURLC-18-009