MnDOT has identified Native Americans as one of six priority populations in the state that experience disproportionate risks as pedestrians. To access everyday services such as grocery stores, workplaces and schools, pedestrians may have to cross a state or county roadway at unmarked crossings. Installing traffic safety countermeasures at these crossings is intended to reduce the risk faced by pedestrians. This project analyzed pedestrian safety at 23 locations within seven reservations and the effectiveness of countermeasures implemented at six locations.
Federal Highway Administration studies have shown that Native Americans have the highest rates of pedestrian injury and death per capita compared to any other population group in the country. Minnesota is home to 11 federally recognized tribal nations, and Native Americans in the state face disproportionate risks as pedestrians. To increase the safety of Native American pedestrians, MnDOT needed to understand the risks they encounter and to collaborate with tribal nations on potential solutions and funding opportunities.
To gain this understanding, MnDOT collaborated with all seven Anishinaabe Nations during two phases of the project to observe common risks to pedestrians on reservations and to evaluate countermeasures that reduce the risks. Pedestrian safety was monitored at 23 locations, and traffic safety countermeasures were installed and evaluated at six locations on three reservations. MnDOT installed additional countermeasures on the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and White Earth Nation reservations in Phase II of the project, which didn’t allow time for evaluation. MnDOT and tribal nation collaborators will use the collected data and results to design and implement future pedestrian safety countermeasures.
What Did We Do?
During the first phase, four Anishinaabe Nations identified traffic-related risks for pedestrians on reservations. Video cameras at 10 crossing sites documented pedestrian behavior, collecting pedestrian counts, interactions with drivers, and pedestrian and driver yield rates. Based on this information, countermeasures were installed at six crossings on three reservations:
- Fond du Lac Reservation (three locations): marking crosswalks, improving lighting and signage, installing a flashing beacon, reducing speed limits and employing a dynamic speed feedback sign.
- Grand Portage Reservation (twolocations): new crosswalks and signage, pedestrian access stairs, a pedestrian access ramp that complies with Americans with Disabilities requirements, and roadway guardrails.
- Mille Lacs Reservation (one location): a high-intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) beacon.
In the second phase, researchers received input from an additional three Anishinaabe Nations, evaluated the countermeasures installed at the six locations from Phase I and monitored an additional 13 crossing sites.
“This project has strengthened MnDOT’s relationship with tribal partners in Minnesota to address and improve pedestrian safety,” said Hannah Pritchard, principal pedestrian and bicycle engineer, MnDOT Office of Transit and Active Transportation.
MnDOT also worked with the tribes to identify potential funding opportunities for future countermeasure installations.
What Did We Learn?
Monitoring these sites showed that the countermeasures that were implemented reduced risks and increased safety, but pedestrians and drivers did not always use the countermeasures as designed. Below are key findings from the project:
- Fond du Lac crosswalk with flashing beacon: This countermeasure increased the number of pedestrians using the crosswalk, but many pedestrians crossed midblock possibly because there is no sidewalk to the crosswalk landing pad.
- Grand Portage guardrail: The guardrail successfully guided pedestrians to a newly marked crosswalk. However, a small number of pedestrians hopped the guardrail and did not use the crosswalk.
- Mille Lacs HAWK beacon: The beacon increased driver yield rate to pedestrians, although a higher driver yield rate is desired. Further, a higher beacon activation rate by pedestrians is a goal.
These findings highlight the importance of collaborating with pedestrian users when designing countermeasures to facilitate proper use.
What’s Next?
Six more countermeasure locations are planned for 2024 or later. MnDOT will continue to collaborate with tribal, state and local transportation engineers and planners to reduce crash risks and increase pedestrian safety on reservations. This collaboration will also assist with identifying funding opportunities for additional countermeasures and prioritizing future initiatives for pedestrian safety on reservations. The information gained from this project will be useful for future countermeasure installations within the state.
Crossroads 