A geography of child and elderly pedestrian injury in the City of Toronto, Canada

Walking is one of the most accessible forms of physical activity for people of all ages. Promoting increased walking for transport may contribute to reduced air pollution, noise and traffic congestion. Understanding the geography of pedestrian motor vehicle collisions (PMVCs) can provide evidence to inform policy and planning that targets increased walking while reducing pedestrian injury risk, however age-related differences in the geography of injury are expected given differences in activity patterns and physical and cognitive abilities. The purpose of this paper is to explore spatial patterns of pedestrian motor vehicle collisions (PMVCs) by age, injury severity, and location in Canada's largest city, the City of Toronto. Geographical variation in PMVCs and injuries by age (namely seniors and children) and severity were explored using indirect standardized rates. Moran's I statistics were estimated to study the spatial clustering of PMVCs across urban and inner suburban neighbourhoods. Distinct spatial patterns of PMVCs and injuries were evident among children and seniors. While evidence of spatial clustering was indicated for both age groups, children's injuries revealed the strongest clustering, while PMVCs involving seniors were more dispersed. Furthermore, fatal and major injury events appeared to be concentrated toward and within Toronto's inner suburbs for both age groups. Findings from this study demonstrate the importance of planning pedestrian safety interventions that acknowledge spatial differences in geographic patterns of PMVCs by age.