The Salem Pedestrian Safety Study examined the rise in severe and fatal pedestrian-related crashes in Salem since 2011. The goal of the study was to understand the causes of these crashes and recommend ways to make walking safer in the city.

We hired DKS & Associates to:

• Analyze pedestrian crash data
• Identify trends and patterns in crashes
• Suggest strategies to reduce the number and severity of pedestrian crashes

Key Findings

The study revealed several important findings, which are summarized below.

Unpredictable Crash Patterns

Crash patterns, as well as the behaviors of drivers and pedestrians, were inconsistent and difficult to predict.

Traffic and Pedestrian Conflicts

At many locations studied, conflicts occurred where busy traffic flows crossed popular pedestrian routes. Drivers were often observed speeding, driving aggressively, and failing to yield to pedestrians.

Midblock Conflicts

Many crashes happened at midblock locations on roads with:

• Wide cross sections (four or more lanes)
• Long distances between signalized crossings (up to 3,000 feet)
• Attractions like transit stops, stores, or restaurants located midblock

Illegal Pedestrian Crossings

A significant number of pedestrians were seen crossing roads illegally, such as at undesignated midblock locations or against pedestrian signals. Crash data showed that 65 percent of non-intersection pedestrian crashes involved pedestrians who were illegally in the roadway.

Recommendations

Based on the findings, DKS & Associates proposed several strategies to improve pedestrian safety:

• Reduce the Distance Between Protected Crossings
  
  • Shorter distances between safe crossing points can reduce the need for midblock crossings.
• Minimize Conflicts Between Pedestrians and Turning Vehicles
  
  • Adjusting traffic signals and intersection designs can help reduce these conflicts.
• Improve Lighting at Roadways and Intersections
  
  • Better lighting can make pedestrians more visible to drivers, especially at night.
• Plan for Pedestrian Paths Early
  
  • Considering pedestrian needs during the planning and design of roads can prevent future safety issues.
• Address Unsafe Behaviors
  
  • Education campaigns and targeted enforcement can encourage safer behaviors from both drivers and pedestrians.
    
    

Safer Pedestrian Crossings Program

One of the key recommendations from the study was to create a Safer Pedestrian Crossings Program. This program would establish a clear, objective process for deciding where new pedestrian crossings should be installed. By using a request-driven system, the City can make decisions more efficiently and transparently.

Location-Specific Recommendations

The study also provided specific recommendations for 19 locations in Salem where pedestrian safety concerns were identified. These recommendations focus on addressing the unique challenges at each site to improve safety for pedestrians.