Exploring patterns in older pedestrian involved crashes during nighttime

Abstract

Nighttime crashes involving older pedestrians pose a significant safety concern due to their age-related vulnerabilities such as reduced vision and slower reaction times. This study analyzes crash data from Texas for six years (2017–2022) using Association Rules Mining (ARM) to identify patterns and associations affecting crash severity for older pedestrians aged 65–74 years and those over 74 years under varying lighting conditions. The findings reveal that high-speed limits and complex road environments significantly increase the risk of fatal or severe injuries for both age groups, particularly under inadequate lighting. Additionally, demographic factors, adverse weather conditions, and specific road features further influence crash outcomes. These insights highlight the need for interventions, including lower speed limits, enhanced street lighting, and the implementation of advanced technologies such as modern pedestrian detection systems, sensor technology, pedestrian bags, accessible pedestrian signals, to improve the safety of older pedestrians. Policymakers should leverage these insights to formulate strategies that improve road safety for older pedestrians, addressing their unique vulnerabilities in various nighttime conditions.