Pedestrian safety : Land-use planning factors

Land-use planning factors that affect pedestrian traffic risk include the following:

1. Street design: The design of the street and its infrastructure, such as the width of the street, the presence of sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic signals, and pedestrian islands, can greatly affect pedestrian safety.
2. Land use mix: Land-use planning policies and strategies that encourage a greater mix of land-uses and shorter trip distances make walking more feasible, and safer, if measures for safe walking have been considered The mix of land uses in a given area can influence the frequency and duration of pedestrian trips. Areas with a mix of uses, such as residential, commercial, and recreational, can attract more pedestrian traffic, which can increase the risk of accidents.
3. Traffic volume and speed: High traffic volume and speed can increase the risk of pedestrian accidents. When traffic is heavy or moving at high speeds, it can be difficult for drivers to see pedestrians and react in time to avoid hitting them.
4. Distance between crossings: The distance between crosswalks and pedestrian crossings can affect pedestrian safety. Longer distances between crossings may encourage pedestrians to jaywalk or cross at unsafe locations, increasing their risk of being hit by a car.
5. Lighting: Adequate lighting is important for pedestrian safety, particularly in areas with high foot traffic. Good lighting can improve visibility for both pedestrians and drivers, reducing the risk of accidents.
6. Accessibility: Pedestrian accessibility is also important. Sidewalks should be wide enough to accommodate pedestrians of all ages and abilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility devices.
7. Land use intensity: The intensity of land use, such as the number of buildings, population density, and the amount of activity, can influence the amount of pedestrian traffic in a given area. Areas with high land use intensity can attract more pedestrians, which can increase the risk of accidents.
8. Population density: The frequency of pedestrian crashes in a given area is strongly influenced by the density of the resident population and the total population exposed to risk.
9. City structure: There are wide variations in road traffic fatality rates, including pedestrian rates, across cities with different income levels and even within cities with similar income levels, implying that city structure, modal share and exposure of motorists and pedestrians may have a significant role in determining fatality rates, along with road design, vehicle design and income.

Land-use planning and road design  Strategies for Pedestrian safety

There are several road design strategies that can be implemented to improve pedestrian safety, including:

1. Providing sidewalks and crosswalks: Providing well-maintained sidewalks and clearly marked crosswalks can encourage pedestrians to use designated paths and help to prevent accidents.
2. Adding pedestrian islands and refuge areas: Pedestrian islands and refuge areas can provide a safe haven for pedestrians crossing busy roads. These features can also help to slow down traffic and improve pedestrian visibility.
3. Implementing traffic calming measures: Speed humps, roundabouts, chicanes, and other traffic calming measures can help to slow down traffic and make roads safer for pedestrians.
4. Reducing crossing distances: Reducing crossing distances for pedestrians, such as by adding mid-block crossings or installing pedestrian bridges or tunnels, can help to reduce the risk of accidents.
5. Improving lighting: Adequate lighting can help to improve pedestrian visibility and reduce the risk of accidents, particularly at night.
6. Using traffic signals and signs: Traffic signals and signs, such as pedestrian crossing signals and yield signs, can help to improve pedestrian safety by providing clear guidance to both pedestrians and drivers.
7. Incorporating greenery and street furniture: Incorporating greenery and street furniture, such as benches, can help to create a more attractive and inviting pedestrian environment, encouraging people to walk and reducing the risk of accidents.
8. Providing accessible crossings: Providing accessible crossings, such as curb ramps and audible signals, can help to improve pedestrian safety for people with disabilities.
9. controlling vehicle speed;
10. developing traffic-calming measures;
11. restricting vehicle traffic in residential areas;
12. building sidewalks;
13. enforcing traffic laws;
14. pedestrianizing city centres;
15. installing pedestrian signals;
16. constructing under- and over-passes;
17. creating a road network that separates access roads from through-roads and
18. ensures that traffic volume on access roads is as small as possible;
19. reducing unnecessary travel;
20. encouraging walking and cycling;
21. designing pedestrian pathways to facilitate movement of people with mobility impairments;
22. locating roads, residential areas, workplaces and other industries in such a way that traffic volume and travel distances are minimized;
23. redesigning public spaces to cater for pedestrian safety needs, and to encourage walking;
24. integrating transportation planning with health issues, for example, active transport and design programmes
25. developing and implementing pedestrian safety policies

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