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Urban sprawl as a risk factor in motor vehicle crashes

Author

Listed:
  • Reid Ewing

    (University of Utah, USA)

  • Shima Hamidi

    (University of Utah, USA)

  • James B Grace

    (US Geological Survey, USA)

Abstract

A decade ago, compactness/sprawl indices were developed for metropolitan areas and counties which have been widely used in health and other research. In this study, we first update the original county index to 2010, then develop a refined index that accounts for more relevant factors, and finally seek to test the relationship between sprawl and traffic crash rates using structural equation modelling. Controlling for covariates, we find that sprawl is associated with significantly higher direct and indirect effects on fatal crash rates. The direct effect is likely due to the higher traffic speeds in sprawling areas, and the indirect effect is due to greater vehicle miles driven in such areas. Conversely, sprawl has negative direct relationships with total crashes and non-fatal injury crashes, and these offset (and sometimes overwhelm) the positive indirect effects of sprawl on both types of crashes through the mediating effect of increased vehicle miles driven. The most likely explanation is the greater prevalence of fender benders and other minor accidents in the low speed, high conflict traffic environments of compact areas, negating the lower vehicle miles travelled per capita in such areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Reid Ewing & Shima Hamidi & James B Grace, 2016. "Urban sprawl as a risk factor in motor vehicle crashes," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 53(2), pages 247-266, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:53:y:2016:i:2:p:247-266
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098014562331
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrew J. Plantinga & Stephanie Bernell, 2007. "The Association Between Urban Sprawl And Obesity: Is It A Two‐Way Street?," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(5), pages 857-879, December.
    2. James, P. & Troped, P.J. & Hart, J.E. & Joshu, C.E. & Colditz, G.A. & Brownson, R.C. & Ewing, R. & Laden, F., 2013. "Urban sprawl, physical activity, and body mass index: Nurses' health study and nurses' health study II," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(2), pages 369-375.
    3. Reid Ewing & Fang Rong, 2008. "The impact of urban form on U.S. residential energy use," Housing Policy Debate, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(1), pages 1-30, January.
    4. Deliana Kostova, 2011. "Can the Built Environment Reduce Obesity? The Impact of Residential Sprawl and Neighborhood Parks on Obesity and Physical Activity," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 37(3), pages 390-402.
    5. Ewing, R. & Schieber, R.A. & Zegeer, C.V., 2003. "Urban Sprawl as a Risk Factor in Motor Vehicle Occupant and Pedestrian Fatalities," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 93(9), pages 1541-1545.
    6. Kim, Daniel & Subramanian, S.V. & Gortmaker, Steven L. & Kawachi, Ichiro, 2006. "US state- and county-level social capital in relation to obesity and physical inactivity: A multilevel, multivariable analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(4), pages 1045-1059, August.
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