Evaluation of road infrastructure in Yerevan,
Armenia through the lens of pedestrian
and child safety: a school-based analysis
Dublin Core
Title
Evaluation of road infrastructure in Yerevan,
Armenia through the lens of pedestrian
and child safety: a school-based analysis
Armenia through the lens of pedestrian
and child safety: a school-based analysis
Subject
Traffic injury, Pedestrian safety, Child safety, Safety infrastructure, QGIS, Global injury
Description
Abstract
Introduction Traffic-related injury is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, especially among children.
In Armenia, traffic-related mortality rates are the second highest among European Union and former Soviet countries.
Currently, there are no published studies on pedestrian safety in Armenia and no notable examinations of pedestrian
safety infrastructure. This manuscript describes an audit of Armenia’s infrastructure using a modified Inventory for
Pedestrian Safety Infrastructure (IPSI) in the Yerevan city center, focusing on areas surrounding schools.
Methods Intersections (n=379) and roadways (n=623) shared by pedestrians and drivers in Yerevan’s center
were audited using a 36-item modified ISPI and paired with cloud-based smartphone application QField between
October 2023 and February 2024. Visual analysis of data was conducted using the open-source software QGIS with
statistical analysis in R. Inter-rater reliability of the audit was calculated using Cohen’s Kappa and intra-class correlation
coefficients. Incidence of each feature surrounding schools was compared to incidence overall using a one-sample
z-test for continuous variables and a two-sample test of proportions for binary variables.
Results Many of the features audited were not observed consistently across the audited area and were not more
prevalent near schools. Lower inter-rater reliability was found with roadway and midblock data, resulting in analysis
of primarily intersection features. Speed limits surrounding schools varied from 20 to 60 km/hr (12.5–37 mph). When
compared to the overall audited area, crosswalks near schools demonstrated similar occurrence for traffic lights with
crosswalk markings (23.3%, 95% CI: 0.157–0.309), speed bumps (11.9%, 95% CI: -0.139- 0.0338), and pedestrian signals
(12.9%, 95% CI: 0.0709–0.194). Of the analyzed items, only bus stops were observed significantly more often near
schools (19%, 95% CI: 0.00930-0.220).
Conclusions The audit revealed an inconsistent presence of safety infrastructure, with infrastructure near schools
largely reflecting the overall audited area. However, analysis was limited by low inter-rater reliability for many roadway
and midblock features audited. Based on these results, infrastructure changes targeting lower speed limits and
increased traffic calming measures are recommended to improve safety in school zones. Given a paucity of studies in
LMICs, further work must be done to identify which high-yield features should be targeted in LMICs to prevent injury.
Keywords Traffic injury, Pedestrian safety, Child safety, Safety infrastructure, QGIS, Global injury
Introduction Traffic-related injury is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, especially among children.
In Armenia, traffic-related mortality rates are the second highest among European Union and former Soviet countries.
Currently, there are no published studies on pedestrian safety in Armenia and no notable examinations of pedestrian
safety infrastructure. This manuscript describes an audit of Armenia’s infrastructure using a modified Inventory for
Pedestrian Safety Infrastructure (IPSI) in the Yerevan city center, focusing on areas surrounding schools.
Methods Intersections (n=379) and roadways (n=623) shared by pedestrians and drivers in Yerevan’s center
were audited using a 36-item modified ISPI and paired with cloud-based smartphone application QField between
October 2023 and February 2024. Visual analysis of data was conducted using the open-source software QGIS with
statistical analysis in R. Inter-rater reliability of the audit was calculated using Cohen’s Kappa and intra-class correlation
coefficients. Incidence of each feature surrounding schools was compared to incidence overall using a one-sample
z-test for continuous variables and a two-sample test of proportions for binary variables.
Results Many of the features audited were not observed consistently across the audited area and were not more
prevalent near schools. Lower inter-rater reliability was found with roadway and midblock data, resulting in analysis
of primarily intersection features. Speed limits surrounding schools varied from 20 to 60 km/hr (12.5–37 mph). When
compared to the overall audited area, crosswalks near schools demonstrated similar occurrence for traffic lights with
crosswalk markings (23.3%, 95% CI: 0.157–0.309), speed bumps (11.9%, 95% CI: -0.139- 0.0338), and pedestrian signals
(12.9%, 95% CI: 0.0709–0.194). Of the analyzed items, only bus stops were observed significantly more often near
schools (19%, 95% CI: 0.00930-0.220).
Conclusions The audit revealed an inconsistent presence of safety infrastructure, with infrastructure near schools
largely reflecting the overall audited area. However, analysis was limited by low inter-rater reliability for many roadway
and midblock features audited. Based on these results, infrastructure changes targeting lower speed limits and
increased traffic calming measures are recommended to improve safety in school zones. Given a paucity of studies in
LMICs, further work must be done to identify which high-yield features should be targeted in LMICs to prevent injury.
Keywords Traffic injury, Pedestrian safety, Child safety, Safety infrastructure, QGIS, Global injury
Creator
Emily N. Terian1*, Haig J. Minasian2
, Jefrin Johny3
, Araksya Gevorgyan4
and Sharon A. Chekijian5
, Jefrin Johny3
, Araksya Gevorgyan4
and Sharon A. Chekijian5
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-01070-4
Date
2026
Contributor
peri irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Emily N. Terian1*, Haig J. Minasian2
, Jefrin Johny3
, Araksya Gevorgyan4
and Sharon A. Chekijian5, “Evaluation of road infrastructure in Yerevan,
Armenia through the lens of pedestrian
and child safety: a school-based analysis,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 26, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12941.
Armenia through the lens of pedestrian
and child safety: a school-based analysis,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 26, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12941.