Improving intersection safety: Reducing casualties at high-risk intersections in Surrey, Richmond and Vancouver

In British Columbia (BC), over 20,000 injuries and 400 fatalities occurred each year at intersections between 2000 and 2004. Using Ordinary Least Squares regression analysis, the objective of this study is to identify which of the 12 intersection characteristics play a role in predicting intersection safety. Using data from 19 intersections from Surrey, Richmond and Vancouver from the years 2000 to 2004, the findings reveal that traffic volume, restricted left-turns, permissive left-turns and right-turn lanes are positive predictors of intersection casualties. Five policy alternatives are proposed: 1) status quo, 2) reducing traffic volume, 3) eliminating the use of restricted left-turns, 4) using protected over permissive left-turns and 5) prohibiting right-turn on red. The policies are evaluated using three criteria 1) cost; 2) reduced casualty and 3) time delay. Based on the evaluation, status quo emerges as the most effective recommendation for reducing intersection casualties and improving intersection safety.