Evaluating the impact of access management practices on urban arterial crashes

• High-speed arterials with poor access management were linked to overall more crashes. • Areas with more signalized intersections and driveways predicted higher VRU crashes. • Signalized intersections emerged as the most significant factor for VRU crashes. • Results highlight the effectiveness of access management in reducing overall crashes. Effective access management on arterial roads plays a crucial role in mitigating crashes, yet the impacts of specific access controls on various crash types, especially those involving vulnerable road users (VRUs), remain insufficiently understood. This study integrates spatial analysis, urban planning, and road safety analysis to examine how access density and configuration influence crash patterns in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a city notable for elevated pedestrian and bicyclist crash rates. Using 2018–2019 crash data, we applied one-way ANOVA to compare mean crash rates across arterial segments varying in access density and speed limits, alongside a negative binomial regression to model VRU crash frequency relative to access types such as signalized intersections and driveways. Our results identify a significant association between poor access management and increased crash frequency, with VRU crashes particularly sensitive to access density and the presence of signalized intersections. These findings highlight the critical need for evidence-based access management strategies that balance mobility and safety, informing urban planners and policymakers managing city expansions. The research is policy and practice-oriented since the result underscores how tailored roadway design and access spacing can enhance safety for all users, contributing to the development of safer, more inclusive urban transportation systems.