A Pedestrian Safety Training Program for Elementary and Middle School Students in Detroit

1. A Pedestrian Safety Training Program for Elementary and Middle School Students in Detroit Timothy J. Gates, PhD, PE Assistant Professor Wayne State University

2. Introduction • Detroit Pedestrian Safety Issues • FHWA “Focus City” • 4th most pedestrian fatalities in nation • Between 1st and 3rd nationally in pedestrian fatalities per capita from 2003 to 2007 • NHTSA Focus City/Focus States Grant • Grant Objectives • Develop pedestrian safety model • Enforcement Programs • Educational Programs

3. Problem and Objectives • Safety Problem • 171 total child pedestrian crashes per year in Detroit • 21% of all pedestrian crashes • 46% occur between 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM • 63% of fatalities occur at midblock areas • Program Objectives • Develop a K-8 pedestrian safety training program • Present the program to Detroit students • Test the effectiveness of the program

4. K-8 Program Details • Titled “Safe Street Crossing Tips” • PowerPoint presentation • Photos, animations, and videos • Local photos/videos • Interactive • WSU teamed with DPD for presentations • Auditorium or cafeteria • 1 class-period in length • 50 – 100 kids at a time

5. K-8 Program Content • Topics include: • Common ped safety issues in Detroit • Midblock dart/dash during pickup/dropoff • Running/horse-play • Distractions while walking in groups • Universal safety messages • Search techniques • Path selection • Several scenarios: • Signalized and unsignalized • Intersections without crosswalks • Midblock areas • Locations with no sidewalks

6. K-8 Program – Detroit Stats • Presented at 34 schools (since May 2008) • 8,300 children trained by program • 6,800 children given pre/post test • 4,800 child pedestrian crossing observations

7. Program Schools & Proximity to Crash Locations

8. K-8 Program – Behavioral Study • B&A observation of child ped violations • Entered during Flashing DON’T WALK, • Entered during Steady DON’T WALK, • Crossed at an intersection but outside of the crosswalk, and • Crossed at an unmarked midblock location. Video Data Collection Setup

9. K-8 Program – Pre/Post Testing • Multiple choice test given immediately before and after the program presentation. • Test questions were shown on the screen • Students circle A, B, or C on paper • Responses were tracked by school, grade, and gender.

10. K-8 Program – Retraining • Retraining was performed 7-12 months later • 5 schools • 930 students • Same training and evaluation procedures • Retraining importance: • Refresher for most students • Initial training for new students • Lack of regular parental safety instruction • Improves the overall safety culture in the school

11. Training Program Presentation….

12. Test Scores – By Grade

13. Test Scores – By Gender and Grade

14. Test Scores – Initial vs. Retraining 33%

15. Violation Rates

16. Summary of Findings • Test Score Improvements • Initial Training: 24% • Initial + Retraining: 33% • Violation Rate Decreases • Initial Training: 19% • Initial + Retraining: 35% • Conclusions: • Training program is popular and effective • Cumulative impacts of retraining + initial training were larger than initial training only • Results detailed in two journal articles

17. Related Programs

18. High School Program • Working Title: “Cross Safely – Your Life Depends on It!” • Program content • Ped safety consequences • Right-of-way laws • Other traffic safety info • Delivery strategies • Graphic videos • Jeopardy format • 3 high schools, 1 adult group

19. High School Test Scores Grade

20. Statewide Educational Initiative • Proposed changes to Sec. of State “What Every Driver Must Know” • Ped right-of-way laws • Pedestrian countdown signals • HAWK signals • New midblock crosswalk treatments • Draft language has been sent to Sec. of State for review

22. Questions? Copies of training program are available: tjgates@wayne.edu, 313-577-2086