Black neighborhoods suffer from a disproportionate number of pedestrian crashes due to poor infrastructure, a new study by the University of Texas in Austin highlights, revealing a stark disparity in pedestrian safety within Houston.
Despite comprising only 14% of the area surveyed, these communities experienced 35% more pedestrian crashes compared to their non-Black counterparts. The research points to a lack of investment in these neighborhoods as a primary cause, underscoring the broader systemic discrimination faced by racial minorities.
Despite comprising only 14% of the area surveyed, these communities experienced 35% more pedestrian crashes compared to their non-Black counterparts. The research points to a lack of investment in these neighborhoods as a primary cause, underscoring the broader systemic discrimination faced by racial minorities.
The study identifies several contributing factors to the increased crash rates, including higher exposure to roadways and crime rates. However, it emphasizes that poorly-designed infrastructure is the main issue, accounting for 54% of the pedestrian crashes in the surveyed Black neighborhoods. This finding sheds light on the urgent need for equitable infrastructure development and maintenance to ensure pedestrian safety across all communities.
The University of Texas in Austin’s research calls attention to the critical intersection of racial disparities and urban planning, urging for a reevaluation of resource allocation to address and rectify these life-threatening inequities.
See “Poor infrastructure in Houston’s Black neighborhoods has caused a disproportionate number of pedestrian crashes, new study says” by Lucio Vasquez on the Houston Public Media website (July 25, 2023)
