Darkness and Death in the U.S.: Walking Distances Across the Nation by Time of Day and Time of Year

Abstract

This paper examines walk distances across the United States by time of day and year, using data from the National Household Travel Survey 2016/2017, to understand factors contributing to higher pedestrian deaths at night across various states. Hurdle regression predict daily walk-miles traveled (WMT) and nighttime WMT to show how decision to walk and distances walked on each survey day and night vary significantly with demographic attributes, time of year, latitude, state of residence, and other factors. Longer daylight hours and more nighttime walking do not appear to be the reasons for some states’ much higher pedestrian fatality rates.