The growing crisis of pedestrian safety: A call for predictive & prescriptive AI-driven solutions

In recent years, pedestrian safety has become a growing issue in urban planning and traffic management. Alarmingly, the number of traffic-related incidents and fatalities involving pedestrians has increased rapidly, raising significant concerns among policymakers, city planners and the general public.

According to a report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), pedestrian deaths in the United States dropped by 4% in the first half of 2023, but remain 19% higher than in 2019 before the pandemic began, and fatalities have risen a staggering 58% between the first half of 2013 and 2023.

It’s time city planners and officials took a closer look at the reasons behind the worsening pedestrian safety, the dangers at intersections, and how artificial intelligence (AI) transit prioritization systems can play a crucial role in improving safety at these critical junctures.

The deterioration of pedestrian safety
One of the primary reasons for the increase in pedestrian deaths is the rise in vehicle miles traveled (VMT). As more people drive, the likelihood of pedestrian-vehicle interactions increases, leading to a higher number of accidents.

Another contributing factor is distracted driving while sitting in traffic. The ubiquity of smartphones and in-car entertainment systems has led to a surge in distracted driving incidents. Drivers who are stuck in traffic are increasingly texting, browsing social media, looking at in-car infotainment systems or using navigation apps, and are less likely to notice pedestrians, leading to more accidents.

Urban sprawl & taking a citizen approach in urban design
Urban sprawl and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure also play significant roles. Many cities were designed with a focus on vehicle traffic rather than pedestrian movement. As a result, sidewalks, crosswalks and pedestrian signals are often inadequate or simply configured.

Intersections are particularly hazardous for pedestrians. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 40% of pedestrian fatalities occur at intersections.

Intersections today are complex environments where multiple streams of traffic converge. Pedestrians must navigate vehicles turning left or right, often against the light, while also contending with cyclists and other pedestrians. This complexity increases the likelihood of accidents.

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