Bus Stop Accident Risks Highest for Pedestrians at Midblock Locations: Study

Pedestrians using bus stops that are located away from an intersection face a five times greater risk of being killed by a motor vehicle, particularly when no crosswalks are provided.

New research examining nationwide crash data found that pedestrians face significantly higher fatal risks of being involved in a fatal accident at bus stops located away from intersections and crosswalks.

In findings published in the December 2025 issue of the Journal of Safety Research, researchers analyzed fatal pedestrian crashes nationwide to determine how bus stop location influences risk for transit riders.

Pedestrian fatalities involving public transit users have long been a concern for traffic safety officials, as people who rely on buses must regularly walk along roadways and cross traffic to complete their trips. While previous studies have examined crash risks near bus stops, many assumed that any pedestrian crash occurring nearby was related to the stop itself, without distinguishing between transit riders and other pedestrians.

As a result, safety risks unique to bus passengers have often been overlooked, particularly in areas where stops are located away from intersections. Transit riders accessing these stops may be required to cross active traffic lanes or wait near roadways with higher vehicle speeds, conditions that can increase the likelihood of serious or fatal crashes.

To address these gaps, researchers from the University of Tennessee’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering conducted a detailed analysis of bus stop–related pedestrian fatalities using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). 

The study compared fatal crashes directly associated with bus stops to other pedestrian fatalities occurring within roughly a quarter- to half-mile of those locations.

Led by Allison Rewalt, the research team identified three primary types of bus stop–related fatal crashes: 

• Pedestrians crossing at intersections to reach a stop 
• Pedestrians crossing at non-intersection locations to access a stop
• Pedestrians waiting along the roadside at stops located between intersections 

These scenarios reflect risks that are distinct from general pedestrian activity.

The analysis found that most fatal crashes involving transit riders occurred when individuals were crossing to or from a stop or waiting near the roadway at midblock locations. These stops, which are situated away from intersections and marked crosswalks, were often located on higher-speed roads or major arterial streets where drivers may not expect pedestrian movement.

In particular, the study found that midblock bus stops were associated with a 4.7- to 5.2-times higher risk of fatal pedestrian crashes compared to other bus stop configurations examined. Researchers noted that these elevated risks were consistent across multiple statistical models.

“Different stages of a transit passenger’s journey represent distinct crash types, and midblock stops are especially high-risk.”

—  Allison Rewalt, An analysis of pedestrian safety at bus stops using FARS data

Based on the findings, researchers urged city planners, traffic engineers and transit agencies to consider targeted safety improvements. Recommended measures included adding high-visibility crosswalks at midblock locations, improving lighting and signage near stops, or relocating bus stops closer to signalized intersections to reduce pedestrian exposure to traffic.

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