Researchers Recommend Data Collection Changes To Improve Pedestrian Safety at Intersections

Posted: Jan 2, 2026

Researchers at the University of Colorado Denver are recommending changes to how municipalities collect data on signalized intersections so that pedestrian safety can be improved. With the knowledge that pedestrian fatalities account for approximately 17% of road fatalities, and a frightening number of those occur at intersections where pedestrians have the right-of-way, the researchers studied how and where traffic signals for left-turning traffic that provided protection for pedestrians were implemented. Their research reveals not only the safety risks posed by inconsistent use of protected-only left-turn signalization but also a critical gap: a lack of comprehensive data on signalization at current intersections. This limitation made it difficult to fully study the safety impacts of left-turn signal practices. Better data will allow for more accurate safety research, helping engineers make informed decisions about signalization that prioritizes pedestrian and cyclist safety, ultimately creating safer streets for everyone.

Wesley Marshall, Ph.D.
University of Colorado Denver

A System Level Analysis of Left-Turning Vehicle-Pedestrian Crashes
MPC-24-564