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Qualitative Field Observation of Pedestrian Injury Hotspots: A Mixed-Methods Approach for Developing Built- and Socioeconomic-Environmental Risk Signatures

Author

Listed:
  • Nadine Schuurman

    (Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • Blake Byron Walker

    (Institut für Geographie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wetterkreuz 15, 91058 Erlangen, Germany)

  • David Swanlund

    (Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • Ofer Amram

    (Spokane Health Education and Research Building Third Floor, P O Box 1495, Spokane, WA 99210-1495, Canada)

  • Natalie L. Yanchar

    (Pediatric General Surgery, Alberta Children’s Hospital, 28 Oki Drive NW, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, Canada)

Abstract

Road traffic injuries constitute a significant global health burden; the World Health Organization estimates that they result in 1.35 million deaths annually. While most pedestrian injury studies rely predominantly on statistical modelling, this paper argues for a mixed-methods approach combining spatial analysis, environmental scans, and local knowledge for assessing environmental risk factors. Using data from the Nova Scotia Trauma Registry, severe pedestrian injury cases and ten corresponding hotspots were mapped across the Halifax Regional Municipality. Using qualitative observation, quantitative environmental scans, and a socioeconomic deprivation index, we assessed hotspots over three years to identify key social- and built-environmental correlates. Injuries occurred in a range of settings; however, clear patterns were not observed based on land use, age, or socio-economic status (SES) alone. Three hotspots revealed an association between elevated pedestrian injury and a pattern of geographic, environmental, and socio-economic factors: low- to middle-SES housing separated from a roadside attraction by several lanes of traffic, and blind hills/bends. An additional generalized scenario was constructed representing common risk factors across all hotspots. This study is unique in that it moves beyond individual measures (e.g., statistical, environmental scans, or geographic information systems (GIS) mapping) to combine all three methods toward identifying environmental features associated with pedestrian motor vehicle crashes (PMVC).

Suggested Citation

  • Nadine Schuurman & Blake Byron Walker & David Swanlund & Ofer Amram & Natalie L. Yanchar, 2020. "Qualitative Field Observation of Pedestrian Injury Hotspots: A Mixed-Methods Approach for Developing Built- and Socioeconomic-Environmental Risk Signatures," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:6:p:2066-:d:334855
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sebert Kuhlmann, A.K. & Brett, J. & Thomas, D. & Sain, S.R., 2009. "Environmental characteristics associated with pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions in Denver, Colorado," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(9), pages 1632-1637.
    2. G. Yannis & E. Papadimitriou & A. Theofilatos, 2013. "Pedestrian gap acceptance for mid-block street crossing," Transportation Planning and Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(5), pages 450-462, July.
    3. Morency, P. & Gauvin, L. & Plante, C. & Fournier, M. & Morency, C., 2012. "Neighborhood social inequalities in road traffic injuries: The influence of traffic volume and road design," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(6), pages 1112-1119.
    4. Dai, Dajun, 2012. "Identifying clusters and risk factors of injuries in pedestrian–vehicle crashes in a GIS environment," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 206-214.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alireza Mohammadi & Behzad Kiani & Hassan Mahmoudzadeh & Robert Bergquist, 2023. "Pedestrian Road Traffic Accidents in Metropolitan Areas: GIS-Based Prediction Modelling of Cases in Mashhad, Iran," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-20, July.

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