Implementation of Targeted Pedestrian Traffic Enforcement Programs in an Urban Environment

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Implementation of Targeted Pedestrian Traffic Enforcement Programs in an Urban Environment

Savolainen, Peter T. / Gates, Timothy J. / Datta, Tapan K.

The purpose of this study was to develop, test, and evaluate two pilot enforcement programs aimed at the improvement of pedestrian safety in the city of Detroit, Michigan, through reductions in the incidence of pedestrian traffic violations. Separate targeted enforcement programs were conducted in coordination with the Detroit Police Department and the Wayne State University Police Department. Both programs demonstrated that targeted enforcement could be used to reduce the rate of pedestrian traffic violations effectively and that these changes could be sustained for some time after enforcement had been completed. The city-wide program was found to reduce violations by up to 17.1% during the enforcement period, with sustained reductions of 7.8% being detected several weeks after enforcement was completed. Similarly, the program on the Wayne State University campus reduced violations by 27% during enforcement and showed sustained reductions of 9.8%. The results generally varied on a case-by-case basis, and infrastructure deficiencies contributed to increased violations. As a part of this study, a strategy for collection of data in the field was developed. The strategy allowed the covert, unobtrusive monitoring of pedestrian behavior during the periods before, during, and after enforcement.