Citation

Yeo J, Park S, Jang K. Traffic Injury Prev. 2015; 16(4): 397-403.

Affiliation

a The Cho Chun Shik Graduate School for Green Transportation, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology , N22, 209 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu , Daejeon 305-701 , Republic of Korea , +82-42-350-1284 , jiho@kaist.ac.kr.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15389588.2014.948616

PMID

25133315

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Previous research suggests that urban sprawl increases auto-dependency and that excessive auto use increases the risk of traffic fatalities. This indirect effect of urban sprawl on traffic fatalities is compared with the non-VMT-involved direct effect of sprawl on fatalities.

METHODS: We conducted a path analysis to examine the causal linkages among urban sprawl, vehicle miles traveled (VMT), traffic fatalities, income and fuel cost. The path diagram includes two major linkages: the direct relationship between urban sprawl and traffic fatalities, and the indirect effect on fatalities through increased VMT in sprawling urban areas. To measure the relative strength of these causal linkages, path coefficients are estimated using data collected nationally from 147 urbanized areas in the U.S.

RESULTS: Through both direct and indirect paths, urban sprawl is associated with higher numbers of traffic fatalities, but the direct effect of sprawl on fatalities is more influential than the indirect effect.

CONCLUSIONS: Enhancing traffic safety can be achieved by impeding urban sprawl and encouraging compact development. On the other hand, policy tools reducing VMT may be less effective than anticipated for traffic safety.

Language: en