Assessing the Role of Intersection Proximity in Pedestrian Crashes: Insights from Data Mining Approach

2026-04-30

AI Summary

This study addresses the unclear spatial pattern of pedestrian crash risk in non-intersection areas relative to intersection proximity. Leveraging Louisiana crash data from 2017 to 2021, it introduces a novel analytical framework based on “distance from intersection,” partitioning non-intersection zones into three segments to systematically quantify spatial crash distribution. Applying association rule mining—augmented with support, lift, and the Lift Increase Criterion (LIC)—the research identifies critical combinations of contributing factors. Findings reveal that approximately 50% of non-intersection pedestrian crashes occur within 198 feet of an intersection. The analysis yields 60 high-value association rules (20 per segment) and 124 LIC-based rules, offering empirical foundations for targeted, location-specific pedestrian safety interventions.

Abstract

Although intersections are the most complex parts of the roadway network, pedestrian crashes at non-intersection locations are disproportionately frequent, highlighting a serious traffic safety concern. This study investigates non-intersection crashes involving pedestrians using a crash database (2017-2021) collected from Louisiana State. As the risk of pedestrian crashes tends to vary with distance from the intersection, the research team utilized a unique framework "distance to intersection" to capture the differences in crash patterns at non-intersection locations. The study identified that around 50% of non-intersection pedestrian crashes occurred within 198 ft. of the intersection. In the next step, the collected 3,135 pedestrian crashes at non-intersection locations during the study period were subdivided into three zones: D1 zone designates crashes occurring within 150 ft. of an intersection (1,277 crashes), D2 zone designates crashes occurring within 151 ft. to 435 ft. of an intersection (1,060 crashes) and D3 zone designates crashes occurring at 435 ft. or higher from an intersection (798 crashes). To explore the complex interaction of multiple factors, an intuitive data mining technique, Association Rules Mining was used. A total of the top 60 interesting association rules (20 for each zone) were identified by the algorithm (based on lift and support measures). In addition, a total of 124 rules were explored based on Lift Increase Criterion (LIC) measure. The findings of this research provide critical insights into pedestrian crash involvement at non-intersection locations and the variation in crash patterns according to the "distance to intersection". Based on the findings, some of the targeted problem-specific countermeasures are also recommended to address the crash patterns at non-intersection locations.

Problem

• pedestrian crashes
• non-intersection locations
• distance to intersection
• traffic safety
• crash patterns

Innovation

• distance to intersection
• association rules mining
• non-intersection pedestrian crashes
• spatial zoning
• Lift Increase Criterion