title: Investigating and improving pedestrian safety in an urban environment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prompted by a series of fatal and nonfatal pedestrian-vehicle collisions, university leadership from one urban institution collaborated with its academic injury research center to investigate traffic-related hazards facing pedestrians.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive epidemiologic study used multiple data collection strategies to determine the burden of pedestrian injury in the target area. Data were collected in 2011 through a review of university crash reports from campus police; a systematic environmental audit and direct observations using a validated instrument and trained raters; and focus groups with faculty, students, and staff. Study findings were synthesized and evidence-informed recommendations were developed and disseminated to university leadership.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Crash reports provided some indication of the risks on the streets adjacent to the campus. The environmental audit identified a lack of signage posting the speed limit, faded crosswalks, issues with traffic light and walk sign synchronization, and limited formal pedestrian crossings, which led to jaywalking. Focus groups participants described dangerous locations and times, signal controls and signage, enforcement of traffic laws, use of cell phones and iPods, and awareness of pedestrian safety. Recommendations to improve pedestrian safety were developed in accordance with the three E's of injury prevention (education, enforcement, and engineering), and along with plans for implementation and evaluation, were presented to university leadership.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results underscore the importance of using multiple methods to understand fully the problem, developing pragmatic recommendations that align with the three E's of injury prevention, and collaborating with leadership who have the authority to implement recommended injury countermeasures. These lessons are relevant for the many colleges and universities in urban settings where a majority of travel to offices, classrooms, and surrounding amenities are by foot.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. kpollac1@jhu.edu.
authors.forename: Keshia M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Pollack
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Andrea C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Gielen
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Mohd Nasir
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Mohd Ismail
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Diversity Summer Internship Program, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Molly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mitzner
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Links
keywords: Partnership; Pedestrian safety; Three E’s; Urban environment