Improvement of pedestrian road safety through Trunk Route 1 of the BRT system in Chihuahua: 2015–2020 analysis

Abstract

The urban model of Chihuahua, characterized by its fragmentation, has intensified the dependence on the private automobile, generating negative externalities such as deaths and serious injuries due to road accidents that mainly affect pedestrians. In this context, the brt transportation system, inaugurated in 2013, represents the most important project in the state; however, there are no public studies that evaluate its impact. This work analyzes the influence of the brt trunk route 1 on pedestrian road safety through cartographic analysis and walkability audits. The results show that, although the objective of the brt was not to act as a road safety policy, its implementation has reduced the number of accidents in its surroundings. This is due to the geometric redesign and the incorporation of safe crossings at street level, which mitigate vehicle speed, the main risk factor for pedestrian safety.