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Memorandum

To: Chris Zull, PE

From: Nicholas Nicita, PE, LEED AP

Date: September 7, 2017

Subject: Pedestrian Crash Trends HRC Job No. 20170629

City of Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. (HRC) has reviewed the pedestrian crashes in the City of Grand Rapids, Kent

County, Michigan to evaluate if there are any trends in the data. The crash data was obtained from both the

Michigan Traffic Crash Facts and the Traffic Improvement Association’s Traffic Crash Analysis Tool

(TCAT) websites. The pedestrian crash trends cover a 10-year period from 2007-2016. Enclosed is a

summary of the pedestrian crash trends over the last 10 years:

≡ Total Pedestrian Crashes

• 1,005 total pedestrian crashes

• Slightly upward trend from 2007 to 2016

≡ Injury Severity

• Nearly half involved a possible injury (C)

• Just over 15% involved a fatal (K) or serious (A) injury

≡ Total of Drivers and Pedestrians Involved in a Pedestrian Crash

• 1,063 total drivers and 1,038 total pedestrians involved in a pedestrian crash

• Both trend lines consistent with trend for pedestrian crashes

≡ Driver Age Groups

• Drivers between the ages of 21-29 were involved with the most pedestrian crashes

• All other driver age groups were involved in less than 10% of pedestrian crashes

≡ Pedestrian Age Groups

• Pedestrians between the ages of 0-15 were involved with the most pedestrian crashes

≡ Driver Gender

• Male drivers were involved in 10% more of pedestrian crashes than female drivers

≡ Pedestrian Gender

• Male pedestrians were involved in just over half of pedestrian crashes

≡ Month of Year

• October had the highest, followed by August, and September

• There does not appear to be any trends

≡ Day of Week

• Thursday had the highest, followed by Friday

• Sunday had the lowest

Pedestrian Crash Trends – City of Grand Rapids

September 7, 2017

HRC Job Number 20170629

Page 2 of 15

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≡ Time of Day

• Between 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM had the highest

• 10% occurred during the AM Peak Period

≡ Driver Action Prior to Pedestrian Crash

• Over half of drivers were going straight ahead before striking the pedestrian

• 20% of drivers were turning left before striking the pedestrian

≡ Pedestrian Action Prior to Pedestrian Crash

• Nearly half of pedestrians were crossing at an intersection prior to getting struck by a

vehicle

≡ Area of Roadway

• A little over half occurred within 150 feet of an intersection

• 35% were midblock related

≡ Traffic Control

• Nearly half occurred where there was no traffic control device

• 35% occurred at a traffic signal

≡ Traffic Way

• Majority occurred where there was undivided two-way traffic

• 6% occurred on either a divided highway or one-way traffic

≡ Posted Speed Limit

• Majority occurred in a low-speed zone

• Less than 10% occurred in a high-speed zone

≡ Highway Class

• Majority occurred on either a county road, city street, or where the road was unknown

≡ Total Lanes of Roadway

• Half occurred on a two-lane roadway

≡ Lighting Conditions

• Over half occurred when there was still daylight outside

≡ Road Condition

• Nearly 75% occurred on dry pavement

≡ Drinking and Drug Use

• Majority involved no drinking or drug usage

≡ Crash Density

• Highest crash density occurred downtown

▪ Occurred within 0.25-mile radius from intersection of Fulton and Division

Pedestrian Crash Trends – City of Grand Rapids

September 7, 2017

HRC Job Number 20170629

Page 3 of 15

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Total Pedestrian Crashes

A summary of the total pedestrian crashes broken down by year for the studied area is shown in Table 1.

In the last 10 years, there has been 1,005 pedestrian crashes. A trend line for pedestrian crashes is shown

in Figure 1. A slightly upward trend occurred from 2007 to 2016. From 2007 to 2009, there was a

downward trend in pedestrian crashes, which is consistent with the downward trend in vehicle miles

traveled due to the economy. In the last four years, however, pedestrian crashes have risen from 88 in 2013

to 127 in 2016.

Injury Severity

A summary of the total pedestrian crashes broken down by injury severity is shown in Figure 2. If a crash

contained more than one injury, the highest-level injury was obtained. 49% of pedestrian crashes involved

a possible injury (C). 11% of pedestrian crashes involved no injury and 16% involved either a fatal injury

(K) or serious injury (A).

Figure 2: Pedestrian Crashes by Injury Severity

Year No. of Pedestrian Crashes

2007 97

2008 89

2009 64

2010 94

2011 95

2012 120

2013 88

2014 112

2015 119

2016 127

Total 1,005

20

141

240

492

112

2% 14% 24% 49% 11%0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Fatal Injury (K) Suspected SeriousInjury (A)

Suspected MinorInjury (B)

Possible Injury (C) No Injury (O)No

. of

Pe

dst

rian

Cra

she

s

Injury Severity

Table 1: Summary of

Pedestrian Crashes

Figure 1: Trend of Pedestrian Crashes

Pedestrian Crash Trends – City of Grand Rapids

September 7, 2017

HRC Job Number 20170629

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Total of Drivers and Pedestrians Involved in a Pedestrian Crash

To evaluate the driver and pedestrian characteristics, the total number of drivers and pedestrians involved

in the pedestrian crash was determined. A summary broken down by year is shown in Table 2. In the last

10 years, there has been 1,063 drivers and 1,038 pedestrians involved in a pedestrian crash. A trend line

for both the number of drivers and pedestrians involved is shown in Figures 3 and 4, respectively. Both

trend lines are consistent with the trend for pedestrian crashes shown in Figure 1.

Year

No. of Drivers

Involved in

Pedestrian Crash

No. of Pedestrians

Involved in

Pedestrian Crash

2007 99 95

2008 97 92

2009 68 67

2010 102 102

2011 103 102

2012 126 121

2013 95 92

2014 116 114

2015 129 118

2016 128 135

Total 1,063 1,038

Table 2: Summary of Drivers

and Pedestrians Involved in a

Pedestrian Crash

Figure 3: Trend of Drivers

Involved in a Pedestrian Crash

99 97

68

102 103

126

95

116129 128

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016No

. of

Dri

vers

Invo

lve

d in

P

ed

est

rian

Cra

sh

Year

95 92

67

102 102

121

92

114 118135

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

No

. of

Pe

de

stri

ans

Invo

lve

d

in P

ed

est

rian

Cra

sh

Year

Figure 4: Trend of Pedestrians

Involved in a Pedestrian Crash

Pedestrian Crash Trends – City of Grand Rapids

September 7, 2017

HRC Job Number 20170629

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Driver Age Group

A summary of the total drivers involved in a pedestrian crash broken down by age group is shown in Figure

5. The driver age groups of 21-24 and 25-29 were involved with 20% of pedestrian crashes, which were

the two highest age groups. All other driver age groups were involved in less than 10% of pedestrian

crashes. The age of 22% of drivers was unknown.

Figure 5: Drivers Involved in a Pedestrian Crash by Age Group

Pedestrian Age Group

A summary of the total passengers involved in a pedestrian crash broken down by age group is shown in

Figure 6. The pedestrian age group of 0-15 was involved with 20% of pedestrian crashes, which was the

highest age group. The next highest age groups were 16-20 and 21-24, which was involved with 12% and

10% of pedestrian crashes, respectively. All other pedestrian age groups were involved in less than 10%

of pedestrian crashes.

Figure 6: Pedestrians Involved in a Pedestrian Crash by Age Group

5

81102 107

83 7561 61 63 72

4672

235

0% 8% 10% 10% 8% 7% 6% 6% 6% 7% 4% 7% 22%0

50

100

150

200

250

No

. of

Dri

vers

Invo

lve

d in

P

ed

est

rian

Cra

sh

Driver Age Group

209

125106

8961

47 5770 79

6343 45 44

20% 12% 10% 9% 6% 5% 5% 7% 8% 6% 4% 4% 4%0

50

100

150

200

250

No

. of

Pe

de

stri

ans

Invo

lve

d in

P

ed

est

rian

Cra

sh

Pedestrian Age Group

Pedestrian Crash Trends – City of Grand Rapids

September 7, 2017

HRC Job Number 20170629

Page 6 of 15

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Driver Gender

A summary of the total drivers involved in a pedestrian crash broken down by gender is shown in

Figure 7. 48% of drivers were male, while 38% were female. 14% were unknown.

Figure 7: Drivers Involved in a Pedestrian Crash by Gender

Pedestrian Gender

A summary of the total pedestrians involved in a pedestrian crash broken down by gender is shown in

Figure 8. 53% of pedestrians were male, while 42% were female. 5% were unknown.

Figure 8: Pedestrians Involved in a Pedestrian Crash by Gender

507

407

149

48% 38% 14%0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Male Female Unknown

No

. of

Dri

vers

Invo

lve

d in

a

Pe

de

stri

an C

rash

Driver Gender

553

438

47

53% 42% 5%0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Male Female Unknown

No

. of

Pe

de

stri

ans

Invo

lve

d in

a

Pe

de

stri

an C

rash

Pedestrian Gender

Pedestrian Crash Trends – City of Grand Rapids

September 7, 2017

HRC Job Number 20170629

Page 7 of 15

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Month of Year

A summary of the total pedestrian crashes broken down by the month of the year is shown in Figure 9.

March, August, and October all saw 100 pedestrian crashes or more, while February saw the lowest.

Breaking the pedestrian crashes into seasons, Fall (September-November) saw 29%, Spring (March-May)

saw 25%, Summer (June-August) saw 24%, and Winter (December-February) saw 22%. There does not

appear to be any trends within the months or the seasons.

Figure 9: Pedestrian Crashes by Month

Day of Week

A summary of the total pedestrian crashes broken down by day of the week is shown in Figure 10. 66%

of pedestrian crashes had occurred between Tuesday through Friday. Thursday had 17% of pedestrian

crashes, which was the most of any day, and Sunday had 10%, which was the least of any day.

Figure 10: Pedestrian Crashes by Day of Week

78

59

100

68

8677

68

10194

111

82 81

8% 6% 10% 7% 9% 8% 7% 10% 9% 11% 8% 8%0

20

40

60

80

100

120

No

. of

Pe

de

stri

an C

rash

es

Month of Year

101

123

157 157173 171

123

10% 12% 16% 16% 17% 17% 12%0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

No

. of

Pe

de

stri

an C

rash

es

Day of Week

Pedestrian Crash Trends – City of Grand Rapids

September 7, 2017

HRC Job Number 20170629

Page 8 of 15

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Time of Day

A summary of the total pedestrian crashes broken down by time of day is shown in Figure 11. The highest

number of pedestrian crashes occurred between 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. 10% of pedestrian crashes occurred

during the AM peak hours (7:00 AM – 9:00 AM), 7% during the midday peak hours (11:00 AM – 1:00

PM), and 15% during the PM peak hours (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM).

Figure 11: Pedestrian Crashes by Time of Day

Driver Action Prior to Pedestrian Crash

A summary of the total drivers involved in a pedestrian crash broken down by their action prior is shown

in Figure 12. 53% of drivers were going straight ahead prior to striking the pedestrian. 20% were turning

left, while 9% were turning right.

Figure 12: Drivers Involved in Pedestrian Crash by Action Prior

2531 33

92 7

24

62

36

22

38 3340 41

6372 67

85 87

60 5543 44

26

2% 3% 3% 1% 0% 1% 2% 6% 4% 2% 4% 3% 4% 4% 6% 7% 7% 8% 9% 6% 5% 4% 4% 3%0

102030405060708090

100

No

. of

Pe

de

stri

an C

rash

es

Time of Day

566

217

9335 28 36 18 31 3953% 20% 9% 3% 3% 3% 2% 3% 4%

0100200300400500600

No

. of

Dri

vers

Invo

lve

d in

P

ed

est

rian

Cra

sh

Driver Action Prior to Pedestrian Crash

Pedestrian Crash Trends – City of Grand Rapids

September 7, 2017

HRC Job Number 20170629

Page 9 of 15

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Pedestrian Action Prior to Pedestrian Crash

A summary of the total pedestrians involved in a pedestrian crash broken down by their action prior is

shown in Figure 13. 47% of pedestrians were crossing at an intersection prior to getting struck by a vehicle,

while 30% were not crossing at an intersection.

Figure 13: Pedestrians Involved in Pedestrian Crash by Action Prior

Area of Roadway

A summary of the total pedestrian crashes broken down by where they occurred on the roadway is shown

in Figure 14. 55% of pedestrian crashes occurred within 150 feet of an intersection, while 35% occurred

at midblock crossings. 7% of pedestrian crashes were either freeway, driveway, or parking related.

Figure 14: Pedestrian Crashes by Area of Roadway

487

307

18 42 12 18 9 8 13 41 31 5247% 30% 2% 4% 1% 2% 1% 1% 1% 4% 3% 5%

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

No

. of

Pe

de

stri

ans

Invo

lve

d in

P

ed

est

rian

Cra

sh

Pedestrian Action Prior to Pedestrian Crash

33

554

27

354

14 233% 55% 3% 35% 1% 2%0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Freeway Related IntersectionRelated

Driveway Related Midblock Related Parking Related Other

No

. of

Pe

de

stri

an C

rash

es

Area of Roadway

Pedestrian Crash Trends – City of Grand Rapids

September 7, 2017

HRC Job Number 20170629

Page 10 of 15

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Traffic Control

A summary of the total pedestrian crashes broken down by traffic control is shown in Figure 15. 49% of

pedestrian crashes occurred where there was no traffic control device, whereas 51% occurred where there

was a traffic control device. 35% of pedestrian crashes occurred at a traffic signal and 15% occurred at a

stop sign.

Figure 15: Pedestrian Crashes by Traffic Control

Traffic Way

A summary of the total pedestrian crashes broken down by traffic way is shown in Figure 16. 93% of

pedestrian crashes occurred where there was undivided two-way traffic, whereas 3% occurred on a divided

highway. 3% of pedestrian crashes occurred where there was one-way traffic and 1% was unknown.

Figure 16: Pedestrian Crashes by Traffic Way

496

350

147

1249% 35% 15% 1%0

100

200

300

400

500

600

None Signal Stop Sign Yield Sign

No

. of

Pe

de

stri

an C

rash

es

Traffic Control

935

29 34 793% 3% 3% 1%0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

Undivided Two-WayTraffic

Divided Highway One-Way Traffic Unknown

No

. of

Pe

de

stri

ans

Traffic Way

Pedestrian Crash Trends – City of Grand Rapids

September 7, 2017

HRC Job Number 20170629

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Posted Speed Limit

A summary of the total pedestrian crashes broken down by posted speed limit is shown in Figure 17. 89%

of pedestrian crashes occurred in a low-speed zone [0-35 miles per hour (MPH)], whereas 9% occurred in

a high-speed zone (40-70 MPH). 64% of pedestrian crashes occurred on a roadway with a posted speed

limit of 25 MPH.

Figure 17: Pedestrian Crashes by Posted Speed Limit

Highway Class

A summary of the total pedestrian crashes broken down by highway class is shown in Figure 18. 80% of

pedestrian crashes occurred on either a county road, city street, or the road was unknown. 9% of pedestrian

crashes occurred on a Michigan Route. 10% of pedestrian crashes occurred on either an Interstate Route,

U.S. route, Interstate Business Loop or Spur, U.S. Business Route, or Connector.

Figure 18: Pedestrian Crashes by Highway Class

5

648

133 110

1654

18 210% 64% 13% 11% 2% 5% 2% 2%0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

5-15 25 30 35 40 45 50-70 Unknown

No

. of

Pe

de

stri

an C

rash

es

Posted Speed Limit (MPH)

25 1288

20 45 11

804

2% 1% 9% 2% 4% 1% 80%0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

InterstateRoute

U.S. Route Michigan Route InterstateBusiness Loop

or Spur

U.S. BusinessRoute

Connector County Road,City Street, or

Unknown

No

. of

Pe

de

stri

an C

rash

es

Highway Class

Pedestrian Crash Trends – City of Grand Rapids

September 7, 2017

HRC Job Number 20170629

Page 12 of 15

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Total Lanes of Roadway

A summary of the total pedestrian crashes broken down by total number of lanes where the crash occurred

is shown in Figure 19. 50% of pedestrian crashes occurred on a two-lane roadway. 34% of pedestrian

crashes occurred on either a four or five-lane roadway and only 2% occurred on a roadway with six or more

lanes.

Figure 19: Pedestrian Crashes by Total Lanes of Roadway

Lighting Conditions

A summary of the total pedestrian crashes broken down by lighting conditions is shown in Figure 20. 59%

of pedestrian crashes occurred when there was still daylight outside, while 32% occurred in the dark, but

lighted condition. 4% of pedestrian crashes occurred in a dark-unlighted condition.

Figure 20: Pedestrian Crashes by Lighting Condition

27

504

112

177 162

17 63% 50% 11% 18% 16% 2% 1%0

100

200

300

400

500

600

1 2 3 4 5 6 or More Unknown

No

. of

Ped

estr

ian

Cra

shes

Total Lanes of Roadway

588

26 28

318

42359% 3% 3% 32% 4% 0%

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Daylight Dawn Dusk Dark Lighted Dark Unlighted Unknown

No

. of

Pe

de

stri

an C

rash

es

Lighting Conditions

Pedestrian Crash Trends – City of Grand Rapids

September 7, 2017

HRC Job Number 20170629

Page 13 of 15

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Road Condition

A summary of the total pedestrian crashes broken down by road condition is shown in Figure 21. 73% of

pedestrian crashes occurred on dry pavement, whereas only 26% occurred on either wet, icy, snowy, or

slushy conditions. The road condition was unknown for 1% of the pedestrian crashes.

Figure 21: Pedestrian Crashes by Road Condition

Drinking and Drug Use

A comparison of the total pedestrian crashes related to substance abuse is shown in Table 3. Drinking or

drug usage involved can be applicable to either the driver or the pedestrian. 87% of pedestrian crashes

involved no drinking, while 13% had drinking involved. Similarly, 99% of pedestrian crashes involved no

drug usage, while 1% had drugs involved.

Table 3: Pedestrian Crashes by Substance Abuse

Crash Density

The area with the highest pedestrian crash density is downtown Grand Rapids. The Area 1 blowup shown

in Figure 22 shows the highest number of pedestrian crashes occurred within a 0.25-mile radius from the

intersection of Fulton and Division. The next highest crash density occurred at the intersection of 28th and

Eastern as shown in the Area 2 blowup in Figure 22. The highest crash density for fatal or serious injury

pedestrian crashes occurred in similar areas as shown in Figure 23.

738

176

30 439 973% 18% 3% 4% 1% 1%

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Dry Wet Ice Snow Slush Unknown

No

. of

Pe

de

stri

an C

rash

es

Road Condition

No. of Pedestrian Crashes Percentage

No Drinking Involved 873 87%

Drinking Involved 132 13%

Total 1,005 100%

No Drugs Involved 995 99%

Drugs Involved 10 1%

Total 1,005 100%

Substance

Drinking

Drugs

Pedestrian Crash Trends – City of Grand Rapids

September 7, 2017

HRC Job Number 20170629

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Fig

ure

22:

Ped

estr

ian

Cra

sh D

ensi

ty

Pedestrian Crash Trends – City of Grand Rapids

September 7, 2017

HRC Job Number 20170629

Page 15 of 15

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Fig

ure

23

: P

edes

tria

n F

ata

l or

Ser

iou

s In

jury

Cra

sh D

ensi

ty