UTICA — SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) Assistant Professor of Transportation Engineering Dr. Abolfazl Karimpour and the Principal Investigator, has been awarded a total of $90,952 from the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Region 2 University Transportation Research Center (UTC) to tackle the urgent safety needs of vulnerable road users (VRUs) across New York State. 

“Dr. Karimpour’s work addresses a pressing need in our communities, and through this project, he is driving meaningful change toward safer, more inclusive transportation systems across the state,” said SUNY Poly Dean of the College of Engineering Dr. Abdullah Eroglu. “We are immensely proud of his commitment to public safety and his role in creating actionable solutions that will undoubtedly benefit countless New Yorkers.”

The project will address the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists—groups that together represent over 24 percent of all fatal and serious injury crashes statewide from 2017 to 2021. While overall traffic fatalities have seen a decline, the World Health Organization reports that death rates among VRUs are increasing, a trend mirrored in New York State. 

This one-year study aims to develop actionable strategies that ensure safe, equitable access to transportation for all individuals who walk, bike, or use non-motorized transport modes.

“VRU safety is a crucial area for enhancing public well-being in New York State,” said Dr. Karimpour. “By exploring comprehensive data and working collaboratively with state and regional partners, we can provide targeted insights and recommendations to improve transportation systems for our most vulnerable road users.”

Project Goals and Anticipated Outcomes
The project will produce several key outcomes to advance VRU safety statewide:
•    Data-Driven Recommendations: The research will yield detailed guidance for NYSDOT on the emerging and critical data types necessary to support VRU safety studies.
•    In-Depth Crash Analysis: Using long-term datasets, the project team will identify direct and indirect factors that contribute to VRU-involved crashes.
•    Safety Pattern Insights: Findings will highlight patterns in VRU crashes across New York State, taking into account roadway characteristics, socioeconomic and demographic factors, and seasonal trends.

By the end of the study, SUNY Poly’s research team will deliver a comprehensive analysis designed to support safer infrastructure and promote policies that prioritize VRU safety. This project is part of SUNY Poly’s commitment to driving forward solutions for transportation safety and accessibility throughout New York State.