Pedestrian crossing: Factors influencing pedestrian behavior along a high crash corridor

The Tampa Bay area is ranked nationally as one of the highest metro areas for pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities, and the Fletcher Avenue corridor has been identified as having one of the highest pedestrian crash rates in unincorporated Hillsborough County.  Between 2006 and 2010, there were 63 pedestrian accidents in this section of Fletcher Avenue; three resulted in fatalities and 22 resulted in incapacitating injuries. 

Participant observation and on-the-spot surveys were conducted with pedestrians and bicyclists along Fletcher Avenue during August of 2014.  The behaviors of 867 individuals crossing Fletcher Avenue were observed, and 173 of these individuals completed on-the-spot surveys.  The purpose of this study was to collect baseline data on pedestrian crossing behaviors prior to the completion of the Fletcher Avenue complete streets improvement project.

Of the 867 individuals observed crossing Fletcher Avenue, 664 (76.6%) crossed using a crosswalk; however, less than half of these individuals used the crosswalk as designed, and nearly a fifth (18.1%) of the observed individuals were distracted while crossing.  The majority of individuals surveyed (69.2%) do not have regular access to a car, and walks/bikes nearly every day (54.3%) or a few times per week (19.1%).  When asked why individuals do not use the crosswalks, respondents identified barriers such as length of time for the traffic signals to change, and crosswalks not located where they want to cross.  When respondents were asked how safe they feel crossing Fletcher Avenue, nearly half reported feeling unsafe. 

More than 1,400 pedestrians cross this stretch of Fletcher Avenue each day, the largest percentage of which lives within ½ miles.  The information gained from this study is useful to gain a better understanding of the factors that influence pedestrians’ crossing behaviors.  Tailored messages can then be utilized to complement the built environment improvements to impact pedestrian crossing behavior.