Public Safety Data
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From 2008-2023, throughout the study area, there were 310 car crashes. The highest concentration of these crashes is at the 5-point intersection and along Broadway Avenue between Tarbell Avenue and North Park Street.
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The same intersection that saw the highest concentration of crashes also experienced the most severe crashes, creating a perception of danger for pedestrians.
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Looking at the pedestrian and bicycle crash data we see only 11 crashes in the same 2008–2023 timeframe. While this is a relatively small number, less than one a year, these crashes are concentrated in the same problem areas previously mentioned. The relatively low number of crashes could be attributed to the lack of pedestrians or cyclists in the area and doesn’t necessarily absolve the district of issues.
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Green space also helps to prevent the excessive heating of urban spaces. This process is known as the urban heat island effect, when urban areas have higher temperatures than the surrounding vegetation-rich areas. Looking at Bedford, the temperatures are higher than the county averages but not to any point of danger.