Does Height Matter? Analysis of Contributing Factors to Tall-Vehicle/Pedestrian Crashes

Abstract

With increasing urbanization, interactions between pedestrians and vehicles have become more frequent, raising safety concerns. Now comprising about 40% of the consumer fleet, tall vehicles such as trucks and sport utility vehicles pose unique risks with their elevated front profiles and large blind zones. This “car bloat” trend, combined with distracted and risky driving behaviors, has contributed to an 80% increase in pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. since its record low in 2009. In this study, an in-depth analysis of 15 years of single-vehicle/single-pedestrian crash data (2008–2022) from Wisconsin uncovers that tall vehicles, defined as 5.5 ft (66 in.) or greater in height, are disproportionately involved in crashes during left turns and backing maneuvers, with higher risks across specific pedestrian locations, pedestrian actions, and area type (urban versus rural). The results of a binary logistic model quantify that tall vehicle involvement was significantly associated with specific driver actions, such as left turns, as well as road types, and pedestrian presence in crosswalks, in addition to risk factors such as speed and driver behavior. The findings are instrumental to identify effective countermeasures to improve pedestrian visibility to tall vehicles and prioritize targeted strategies for roadway design, integrated planning, data-driven safety analysis, and targeted driver education addressing tall-vehicle risks.