Footbridge usage in high-traffic flow highways: The intersection of safety and security in pedestrian decision-making​

Oviedo-Trespalacios, Oscar; Scott-Parker, Bridie · 2017 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1016/j.trf.2017.06.010

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Summary

This study investigates the factors influencing pedestrian decisions to cross high-traffic highways via footbridges or at ground level, focusing on the intersection of safety and security in Barranquilla, Colombia. The research addresses the persistent problem of low footbridge usage despite the high risk of pedestrian fatalities in high-speed traffic environments. While engineering solutions like footbridges are designed to physically separate pedestrians from vehicles, empirical evidence suggests that many pedestrians ignore this infrastructure, often crossing illegally at ground level. The authors aim to identify the specific predictors of crossing mode to understand why positive safety attitudes do not necessarily translate into safe behavior. The researchers employed a convenience sample of 210 pedestrians intercepted at a specific highway crossing site near a university. Participants were divided into two groups based on observed behavior: 105 who crossed via the footbridge and 105 who crossed at ground level. Data were collected through paper surveys administered by research officers, capturing demographics, crossing frequency, and perceptions of safety, security, and infrastructure condition. The study utilized logistic regression with a backward step-wise method to identify significant predictors of the observed crossing mode, controlling for variables such as perceived risk, distance, and prior injury experiences. The results revealed that while the majority of participants perceived ground crossing as dangerous and the footbridge as safe, approximately one-third of those observed crossing at ground level rarely or never used the footbridge. Logistic regression identified five significant predictors of footbridge usage: frequency of prior footbridge use, perceived security of the footbridge regarding crime, perceived safety of the footbridge regarding traffic conflicts, the proximity of the footbridge to the ground crossing point, and whether the participant had previously sustained an injury while crossing. Notably, the strongest predictor was the frequency of past footbridge usage, suggesting that crossing behavior is habitual rather than rational. Counterintuitively, a higher perception of the footbridge’s safety regarding traffic conflicts was associated with a decreased likelihood of using it, while perceived security from crime increased usage. The findings indicate that providing engineering solutions like footbridges is insufficient for ensuring pedestrian safety if other factors, such as perceived security from crime and habitual behavior, are not addressed. The study concludes that pedestrian decision-making is complex and often automated, meaning that positive attitudes toward safety do not guarantee safe behavior. Effective interventions must therefore extend beyond infrastructure provision to include strategies that address social security concerns and disrupt unsafe habits, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to road safety in developing nations.

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Topics

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• pedestrian behavior perception
• rail grade crossings