Bus stops and pedestrian–motor vehicle collisions in Lima, Peru: a matched case–control study

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the relationship between bus stop characteristics and pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions. Design Matched case-control study where the units of study were pedestrian crossing. Setting Random sample of 11 police commissaries in Lima, Peru. Data collection occurred from February, 2011 to September, 2011. Participants 97 intersection cases representing 1,134 collisions and 40 mid-block cases representing 469 collisions that occurred between October, 2010 and January, 2011 and their matched controls. Main Exposures Presence of a bus stop and specific bus stop characteristics. Main Outcome Occurrence of a pedestrian-motor vehicle collision. Results Intersections with bus stops were three times more likely to have a pedestrian-vehicle collision (OR 3.28, 95% CI 1.53-7.03), relative to intersections without bus stops. Both formal and informal bus stops were associated with a higher odds of a collision at intersections (OR 6.23, 95% CI 1.76-22.0 and OR 2.98, 1.37-6.49). At mid-block sites, bus stops on a bus-dedicated transit lane were also associated with collision risk (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.02-5.42). All bus stops were located prior to the intersection, contrary to practices in most high income countries. Conclusions In urban Lima, the presence of a bus stop was associated with a three-fold increase in risk of a pedestrian collision. The highly competitive environment among bus companies may provide an economic incentive for risky practices such as dropping off passengers in the middle of traffic and jockeying for position with other buses. Bus stop placement should be considered to improve pedestrian safety.

Pedestrian safety models for urban environments with high roadside activities

“…The results showed that the crash risk was approximately eight times greater per crossing violation event than that of a legal crossing. Quistberg et al (2015) examined the relationship between bus stops and pedestrians' crashes in urban Lima, Peru. The study reported that the presence of a bus stop in an intersection was threefold more likely to result in a pedestrian crash.…”

La Gestión Ambiental Urbana De Lima, Perú

“…Las paradas de autobuses no se usan de forma segura al salir y entrar al tráfico, tal como detallan los planificadores de la ciudad. El aumento del riesgo para los peatones es una consecuencia involuntaria de las áreas destinadas a los autobuses, cuando existen fuertes incentivos económicos para recoger pasajeros siempre que sea posible, con una aplicación limitada de la ley (Quistberg et al, 2015).…”

Where are the dangerous intersections for pedestrians and cyclists: A colocation-based approach

“…Engineers and policy makers may consider improving the coordination of the various types of traffic control signals, consistency of construction, safe traffic speeds, and caution signage and barriers around at-grade rail at or around intersections in downtown for safety improvement. Shifting bus stops away from intersection near-side corners to far-side or mid-block locations would likely reduce risks as well (Quistberg et al 2015;Retting et al 2003).…”