Use of Crash Data Repositories: Combining Digital Tools with Analog Built Environment Assessments to Promote Physical Activity

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

Among promising instruments and evaluation systems for neighborhood development are digital crash data repositories including the UConn Connecticut Crash Data Repository (CTCDR) combined with Built Environment (BE) assessments and walkability audits (WA). Users of these tools include transportation authorities, community planners, and community-centered commissions established to promote safety and physical activity. The Norwalk Bike Walk Commission (NBWC) was created in 2017 to promote walking, biking, and related BE policies in Norwalk, Connecticut (CT). NBWC projects include compliance with the Complete Streets Law, and bicycle/pedestrian plans for Norwalk. The NBWC works directly with city officials associated with transportation and city planning. A top priority of the NBWC is to examine high-risk areas of pedestrian and bike fatalities and injuries in the city using digital and analog tools as well as identifying ways to merge the information gained from these distinct tools. The CTCDR was created in 2015 to permit public access to all crash data in CT. By identifying the highest risk areas of a community (Norwalk), future projects of the NBWC can be prioritized and coordinated. The CTCDR was used to generate broad and specific data in CT that involve pedestrians and bicycles. The number, type, and severity of crashes were specified. Subsequently, the specific locations of these crashes are identified. Specific locations were further assessed using Google Maps combined with BE and WA tools. In aggregate, these details identify high-risk and high-priority areas. In Norwalk, there are an average of 43 crashes involving pedestrians and 16 related to cyclists per year. Specific locations were identified and assessed using BE and WA tools. Combined approaches identified the highest priority locations. Combining digital and analog tools may optimize built environment policies and promote physical activity in communities.

Comments

IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, Volume 1363, World Sustainable Built Environment 2024

This work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license

Publication

IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science

Volume

1363

Link to Full Text


Share

COinS