Estimated Car Cost as a Predictor of Driver Yielding Behaviors for Pedestrians

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2020

Publication Title

Journal of Transport & Health

Volume

16

Abstract

Introduction

Pedestrian crashes are not equitably distributed; people of color and males are overburdened. The aim of this study was to examine if driver yielding behavior differed based on gender and skin color of the pedestrian, and the estimated car cost at two midblock crosswalks in the Las Vegas metropolitan area.

Methods

One white and one black female and one white and one black male crossed the intersection in a similar, prescribed manner. Crossings were video recorded. Driver yielding behavior was documented. The cost of car was estimated by cross referencing manufacturing websites and averaging the high and low values of estimated private sale. Generalized linear mixed model was applied, nesting within crossing attempt and within streets.

Results

Of 461 cars, 27.98% yielded to pedestrians. Cars yielded more frequently for females (31.33%) and whites (31.17%) compared to males (24.06%) and non-whites (24.78%). Cost of car was a significant predictor of driver yielding (OR = 0.97; p = 0.0307); odds of yielding decreased 3% per $1000 increase.

Discussion

Driver yielding differed by cost of cars. Given previous findings, future research is needed to further examine gender and racial disparities in pedestrian crashes. Findings are significant for public health and pedestrian safety, especially given the upward trend in crash rates.

Keywords

Pedestrian crash; Health disparity; Bias; Public health; Health equity; Active transport

Disciplines

Environmental Public Health

Language

English

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