Navigating safety: pedestrian safety perceptions at uncontrolled crosswalks in Hyderabad, India

Pedestrian safety remains a significant issue, especially in developing countries like India, where pedestrians account for a substantial share of urban travel. Despite the Government efforts to improve safety at intersections, many pedestrians still perceive the infrastructure at uncontrolled intersections as unsafe. The safety perception at the intersections directly influences how individuals use and interact with these spaces, impacting overall safety and road efficiency. Hence, the study aims to assess pedestrian safety perceptions at crosswalks located at uncontrolled intersections using a questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews. Data were collected from 1500 participants across six intersections with diversified land use in the city of Hyderabad, India. Descriptive statistics reveal that over 50% of the respondents feel unsafe using crosswalks. Notably, a significant portion of younger adults aged, 18 to 35, reported feeling safer at these crossings compared to other age groups, indicating a potential risk-taking attitude among this demographic. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc tests identified significant differences in safety perceptions based on age, income, and education, highlighting the importance of sociodemographic factors. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure and Bartlett's test confirmed the adequacy of the data and the presence of sufficient correlations among variables. Factor analysis identified four key factors: pedestrian safety perception at crosswalks, crosswalk infrastructure, perceived risk factors, and safety enhancements. Cronbach's alpha specified a good internal consistency among these factors. Three different ordered logit models were developed to assess pedestrian safety perception at the crosswalks. The findings emphasize the need for integrated interventions combining awareness campaigns, infrastructure improvements, and effective management strategies, to improve pedestrian safety at uncontrolled intersections by encouraging safe behaviour, reducing accidents, and improving pedestrian comfort and accessibility. Policymakers and urban planners can use these insights to implement targeted interventions, such as educational campaigns, strict enforcement of laws, and infrastructural upgrades, to create a safer pedestrian environment at these intersections.