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Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
Article Overview
Pedestrian Safety Action Plans are a concept, manual, and training developed in 2006 and disseminated by the Federal Highway Administration at the U.S. Department of Transportation. The concept includes a step by step methodology to identify and correct pedestrian safety hazards, as well as to plan a more walkable community from the ground up. FHWA developed a how-to guide, and contracted with pedestrian design experts to provide 2-day or 3-day trainings to state and local transportation departments around the country. This federal effort was initiated when it was recognized that most traffic engineers receive inadequate professional training to effectively address pedestrian safety concerns.
Federal "How to" Guide
In 2006, FHWA released a guide titled, "How to Develop a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan." The guide is designed to help state and local officials know where to begin to address pedestrian safety issues. It is also intended to assist agencies in further enhancing their existing pedestrian safety programs and activities, including identifying safety problems, analyzing information, and selecting optimal solutions. The guide also contains information on how to involve stakeholders, potential sources of funding for implementing projects and how to evaluate projects.
The guide is primarily a reference for improving pedestrian safety through street redesign and the use of engineering countermeasures, as well as other safety-related treatments and programs that involve the whole community. This guide can be used by engineers, planners, traffic safety and enforcement professionals, public health and injury prevention professionals, and decision-makers who have the responsibility of improving pedestrian safety at the state or local level.
Lessons Learned from FHWA Training
From 2005 to 2007, FHWA conducted 77 trainings in the 14 states that ranked highest in pedestrian crashes. In some states, the trainings resulted in almost immediate pedestrian safety improvement projects or evaluation efforts. According to an evaluation report prepared by the Pedestrian Bicycle Information Center[1]:
One of the most noted accomplishments is how the project [training] has contributed to building a discussion of pedestrian issues nationwide and encouraging local and state officials to make a stronger commitment to pedestrian safety. As course instructor Peter Lagerwey noted, “The biggest accomplishment is how the discussion is changing. No one is questioning whether pedestrian safety in an important or legitimate issue. At some level, most state DOTs are accepting the fact that it is their responsibility to reduce pedestrian crashes through good roadway design and by providing pedestrian infrastructure.”
Implementing a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
Implementing a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan is not usually a high priority for traffic engineering departments, and require consistent advocacy from neighborhood organizations or elected officials. The non-profit pedestrian advocacy group, America Walks , has taken a position on Pedestrian Safety Action Plans.
ALSO ON THE LIVABLE STREETS NETWORK
REFERENCES
Each source is referred to by the same number every time it is cited. Please keep citation style consistent.
[1] Developing and Implementing a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
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PICTURE REFERENCES
Pictures are cited in the order they appear above. Please keep citation style consistent.
[1] Pedestrian Bicycle Information Center Image Library, Dan Burden photographer
[2] How to guide cover courtesy of Pedestrian Bicycle Information Center
