A groundbreaking study conducted by Boston’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department in collaboration with MIT has revealed a troubling trend in pedestrian and cyclist safety across the city. The research indicates that residents living in Boston’s predominantly nonwhite neighborhoods are at a significantly higher risk of being involved in road accidents. This disparity is evident not just in similar demographic areas, but also within predominantly white neighborhoods.
The researchers categorized neighborhoods based on their racial composition, notably evaluating areas with fewer than 8.8 percent white residents to those where white residents constitute 77.9 percent of the population. Published in the journal Cities & Health in June, this study is reportedly the first of its kind to examine not only where car accidents occur but also the home addresses of the individuals involved in these incidents.
Mark Brennan, a professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey, who recently earned a data science PhD from MIT, emphasized that the focus of many cities has traditionally been on the locations of accidents rather than who gets hurt. He stated, “We were the first people, to my knowledge, to get at this.”
One of the factors contributing to this disparity is the lack of car access among residents of predominantly Black, Latino, and Asian neighborhoods. The study found that 36 percent of people living in these less white areas lacked access to a car, in contrast to just 24 percent of those residing in the whitest neighborhoods. As a result, residents of color are forced to walk greater distances between public transit stops, increasing their exposure to potential vehicular accidents.
Brennan noted, “This is a clear unevenness within the city, it’s extremely troubling.”
The study combined U.S. Census data and EMS crash records, revealing that from 2016 to 2021, pedestrians and cyclists in Boston’s least white neighborhoods were nearly three times more likely to be struck by vehicles compared to those in the whitest areas. This discrepancy was even more pronounced when analyzing the demographics of crash victims, who were predominantly from neighborhoods of color.
According to the findings, neighborhoods with a higher concentration of Black residents experienced 4.1 times more pedestrian incidents than their whiter counterparts. Researchers pointed out that a lack of health insurance and job flexibility means that serious injuries from car accidents can have disproportionately severe economic impacts on families in these communities.
“It’s a deeply disturbing number,” said study author Justin Steil, an MIT urban planning professor and paramedic. He reported that even in predominantly white neighborhoods, 50 percent of car crash victims were individuals from communities of color.
Residents in areas like Hyde Park, identified as predominantly nonwhite, are expressing their fears about safety on roadways. Nathan Eckstrom, an organizer with the Boston Better Streets Coalition, described Hyde Park Avenue as “extremely dangerous,” referring to the alarming proximity of traffic to pedestrian paths. “It’s a horrifying statistic of how much more dangerous it is to be from a nonwhite neighborhood in Boston,” Eckstrom remarked.
Responding to these concerns, Mayor Michelle Wu’s office stated a commitment to achieving safety for all residents. A spokesperson noted that crash statistics have been trending downward over the past four years, thanks to ongoing initiatives like the reconstruction of major corridors and the addition of speed humps in residential areas.
The MIT and EMS research contributes to a growing understanding of how systemic issues like race, poverty, and commuting patterns intersect to create health and economic inequities. Brennan highlighted that many individuals from neighborhoods of color often work night or early morning shifts, which exposes them to greater risk as they commute in low visibility conditions. Furthermore, he pointed out that these workers frequently traverse unfamiliar neighborhoods, complicating their navigation and increasing vulnerability to traffic.
Boston’s EMS department has actively collaborated with researchers to utilize these findings for infrastructure improvements aimed at promoting equity and inclusivity. Caitlin McLaughlin, an EMS spokesperson, stated, “We are committed to not only serving the emergency medical service needs of our residents, but also addressing health inequities.”
As winter approaches, concerns about the dangers of icy and snowy streets loom large among community members. Victoria Mitchell, a retired administrator with the Boston Public Schools, shared her own experiences at Nubian Station, emphasizing the need for vigilance when crossing streets. She noted that despite her precautions, she often has to evade speeding cars.
In a poignant moment, another station attendee expressed her commitment to providing good service, saying in Spanish, “Me gusta dar un buen servicio,” which translates to, “I like to provide good service,” even as she navigates the challenges of a long commute.
As Boston grapples with these critical issues of road safety and equity, the collaborative efforts of local government, educational institutions, and community organizing groups will be essential in addressing the systemic disparities illuminated by this important study.
image source from：bostonglobe
