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A study of crashes and injuries along a multiple use trail
Thesis

A study of crashes and injuries along a multiple use trail

Charles Opalak
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Drexel University
Jun 2011
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6726
pdf
Opalak_Charles_2011265.67 kB
PDF Access upon request, Email title, URL, or DOI to archives@drexel.edu

Abstract

Wounds and Injuries National parks and reserves Public Health
Background - Multiple use trails constitute an increasing share of the traffic infrastructure in municipalities and states that seek to encourage alternative transportation by foot and bicycle. Though it is known that trail users can sustain severe traumas, there is little research on the risks associated with multiple use trails and no established standards of design or conduct has been implemented to protect the users of these trails. Objective - To identify risk and protective factors associated with multiple use trails in terms of individual and group level behaviors and trail design features. Methods - Crashes and injuries were identified for the Mount Vernon Trail in the George Washington Memorial Parkway by contacting local public safety organizations. Cases were eligible if they crashed or were injured along the length of the trail due to trail use from 2006-2010. Denominator data was collected from in the form of per capita trail use from a set of nine infrared counters maintained by the National Park Service along the length of the trail. Demographic data for trail users was collected from the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Arlington Country Environmental Services Department and the National Park Service. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used to evaluate whether or not differences existed between severely injured and non-severely injured cases and between injured and uninjured trail users. Multivariate analysis was conducted using Poisson Regression. Results - Severely injured cases have higher percentages of head injuries and fractures (p<0.0001). Elevated risk was found for several geographic risk factors, including: roadway crossings (RR: 3.33 (95% CI: 2.32-4.77)), trail intersections (RR: 2.09 (95% CI: 1.13-3.88)) and surface transitions (RR: 3.27 (95% CI: 2.26-4.72)). Users engaged in activities that were not cycling or pedestrian were at an elevated risk of injury (143.59 (31.19-655.50)). Conclusion - Multiple use trail managers should seek to implement injury surveillance systems to help tailor their preventative activities, and raise awareness of the potential for injury associated with trail use. Multiple use trail design should seek to avoid features that pose elevated risks to their users.

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