Pedestrian and Bicyclist Intersection Safety Indices: Final Report

Carter, Daniel L.; Hunter, William W.; Zegeer, Charles V.; Stewart, J. Richard; Huang, Herman F. · 2006 · ROSA P / United States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Research, Development, and Technology

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Summary

This study addresses the critical need for proactive tools to mitigate pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities, which accounted for approximately 13% of all U.S. traffic deaths in 2004. With roughly 40% of pedestrian collisions and half of bicycle-motor vehicle collisions occurring at intersections, the research aimed to develop macro-level safety indices—the Pedestrian Intersection Safety Index (Ped ISI) and Bicycle Intersection Safety Index (Bike ISI). These models allow engineers and planners to prioritize crosswalks and intersection approaches for safety improvements based on observable characteristics, rather than waiting for crashes to occur. The methodology involved data collection from 68 intersection crosswalks in Philadelphia, San Jose, and Miami-Dade for pedestrian analysis, and 67 intersection approaches in Gainesville, Philadelphia, Portland, and Eugene for bicycle analysis. Researchers gathered physical characteristics, crash data, and behavioral data, including conflicts and avoidance maneuvers. Additionally, expert safety ratings were obtained through surveys where participants viewed video clips of the intersections. Statistical analysis was used to develop prioritization models based on these expert ratings and behavioral observations. The resulting Ped ISI model incorporates variables such as intersection control type, number of through lanes, 85th percentile vehicle speed, main street traffic volume, and area type. The Bike ISI models, developed for through, right-turn, and left-turn movements, include variables such as the presence of bicycle lanes, traffic volumes, lane counts, on-street parking, speed limits, and traffic signals. The study found that these indices effectively identify high-priority sites for in-depth evaluation. Local field studies validated the models, showing reasonable agreement between video-based ratings and field observations. The significance of this work lies in providing a proactive, user-friendly tool for transportation practitioners to identify and address safety problems before crashes occur. By using easily collected data, agencies can efficiently allocate resources to intersections with the highest risk. The report also discusses the geographical relevance of the models and outlines limitations, recommending future research for field validation and crash-based validation. The indices serve as a precursor to detailed evaluations using tools like PEDSAFE and BIKESAFE, facilitating targeted implementation of safety countermeasures.

Key finding

The study developed and validated statistical models for the Pedestrian and Bicycle Intersection Safety Indices that utilize easily collected intersection characteristics to predict safety risks and prioritize sites for improvement.

Methodology

mixed_methods

Sample size: 135

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• cyclist safety
• intersection design
• pedestrian behavior perception
• vru facing ehmi

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes