A hot spot analysis of teenage crashes : an assessment of crashes in Houston, Texas.

Goodwin, Gwendolyn C.; Schoby, Jamaal; Council, Walter · 2014 · ROSA P / Texas A&M Transportation Institute

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Summary

This study investigates the spatial distribution of motor vehicle crashes involving teenage drivers (ages 15–24) in Houston, Texas, to identify "hot spots" and determine factors contributing to accident concentrations. While Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) programs have generally reduced teen crash rates, previous research indicated that accidents cluster in specific locations. The authors aimed to help planners and engineers identify critical areas requiring safety interventions by analyzing crash data from 2006 and 2009. The researchers employed a case study approach using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Getis-Ord Gi* statistical model to perform hot spot analysis. Crash data were obtained from the Texas Department of Transportation. The analysis utilized a critical distance of 1,000 meters to define spatial relationships, calculating Z-scores to identify statistically significant clusters of high-value crashes (hot spots) and low-value crashes (cold spots). A P-value threshold of less than 0.05 was used to confirm statistical significance, ensuring that identified patterns were not random. The results showed a 21% decrease in teen driver crashes from 10,718 in 2006 to 8,464 in 2009. In 2006, hot spots were concentrated in Houston’s Central Business District (CBD), the Galleria shopping district, and along major corridors such as Westheimer Road, IH 45, U.S. 59, US 290, and Loop 610. These locations often featured entertainment venues, clubs, and complex intersections with one-way streets, which posed challenges for novice drivers. By 2009, many of these 2006 hot spots had transformed into cold spots or showed significantly reduced clustering. However, new hot spots emerged in the Midtown District and near the Dowling and IH 45 intersection, areas characterized by retail, dining, and young professional demographics. The study attributes the reduction in crashes to specific infrastructure and policy interventions rather than GDL programs alone. Key factors included the implementation of a traffic signal preventive maintenance program, upgrades to LED signal heads, and improved signal timing plans in the CBD. Additionally, the City of Houston’s red light camera program, access management improvements along Westheimer Road (including median closures and turn bay extensions), and general traffic calming measures contributed to safer conditions. The authors conclude that while GDL programs are effective, targeted engineering and enforcement measures that benefit all driver cohorts also provide significant safety benefits for teenage drivers.

Key finding

Teenage driver crashes in Houston decreased by 21 percent from 2006 to 2009, with many initial hot spots transforming into cold spots following infrastructure improvements.

Methodology

dataset

Sample size: 19182

Provenance

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

Topics

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• incidence prevalence
• demographic disparities

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes