A Bayesian generalised extreme value model to estimate real-time pedestrian crash risks at signalised intersections using artificial intelligence-based video analytics

Pedestrians represent a vulnerable road user group at signalised intersections. As such, properly estimating pedestrian crash risk at discrete short intervals is important for real-time safety management. This study proposes a novel real-time vehicle-pedestrian crash risk modelling framework for signalised intersections. At the core of this framework, a Bayesian Generalised Extreme Value modelling approach is employed to estimate crash risk in real-time from traffic conflicts captured by post encroachment time. A Block Maxima sampling approach, corresponding to a Generalised Extreme Value distribution, is used to identify pedestrian conflicts at the traffic signal cycle level. Several signal-level covariates are used to capture the time-varying heterogeneity of traffic extremes, and the crash risk of different signal cycles is also addressed within the Bayesian framework. The proposed framework is operationalised using a total of 144 hours of traffic movement video data from three signalised intersections in Queensland, Australia. To obtain signal cycle-level covariates, an automated covariate extraction algorithm is used that fuses three data sources (trajectory database from the video feed, traffic conflict database, and signal timing database) to obtain various covariates to explain time-varying crash risk across dif-ferent cycles. Results show that the model provides a reasonable estimate of historical crash records at the study sites. Utilising the fitted generalised extreme value distribution, the proposed model provides real-time crash estimates at a signal cycle level and can dif-ferentiate between safe and risky signal cycles. The real-time crash risk model also helps understand the differential crash risk of pedestrians at a signalised intersection across dif-ferent periods of the day. The findings of this study demonstrate the potential for the pro-posed real-time framework in estimating the vehicle-pedestrian crash risk at the signal cycle level, allowing proactive safety management and the development of real-time risk mitigation strategies for pedestrians.(c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study proposes a novel real-time vehicle-pedestrian crash risk modelling framework for signalised intersections. The framework employs a Bayesian Generalised Extreme Value modelling approach to estimate crash risk in real-time from traffic conflicts. Results show that the proposed model provides a reasonable estimate of historical crash records and can differentiate between safe and risky signal cycles. The findings demonstrate the potential for the proposed real-time framework in estimating the vehicle-pedestrian crash risk at the signal cycle level and developing real-time risk mitigation strategies.