STEP up for Pedestrian Safety

Photo by Kaique Rocha from Pexels

Pedestrian safety is an issue for every community, large or small. Whether it involves a four-land divided road carrying 80,000 vehicles a day or a blind intersection on a residential road in a small town, pedestrian safety is an issue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2018 the nation experienced the most pedestrian fatalities since 1990. That year pedestrian fatalities accounted for approximately 17 percent of all roadway fatalities (6,283).

In an effort to curb pedestrian fatalities FHWA has created the Every Day Counts STEP initiative. Through the program, FHWA  promotes the countermeasures to improve pedestrian crossing locations and reduce crashes. Some of these countermeasures include:

STEP Countermeasures

• Road Diets can reduce vehicle speeds and the number of lanes pedestrians cross, and they can create space to add new pedestrian facilities.
• Pedestrian hybrid beacons (PHBs) are a beneficial intermediate option between RRFBs and a full pedestrian signal. They provide positive stop control in areas without the high pedestrian traffic volumes that typically warrant signal installation.
• Pedestrian refuge islands allow pedestrians a safe place to stop at the midpoint of the roadway before crossing the remaining distance. This is particularly helpful for older pedestrians or others with limited mobility.
• Raised crosswalks can reduce vehicle speeds.
• Crosswalk visibility enhancements, such as crosswalk lighting and enhanced signing and marking, help drivers detect pedestrian–particularly at night.
• Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) are active (user-actuated) or passive (automated detection) amber LEDs that use an irregular flash pattern at mid-block or uncontrolled crossing locations. They significantly increase driver yielding behavior.
• Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) at signalized intersections allow pedestrians to walk, usually 3 to 4 seconds, before vehicles get a green signal to turn left or right. The LPI increases visibility, reduces conflicts and improves yielding to pedestrians.

Benefits

• Improved Safety. Countermeasures are available that offer proven solutions for reducing pedestrian crashes.
• Targeted Investment. By focusing on uncontrolled or signalized intersections, agencies can address a significant national pedestrian safety problem.
• Enhanced Quality of Life. Improving crossing opportunities boosts quality of life for pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

Usually your public works department knows problem areas in your community and may know which of these countermeasures would work best. You can also reach out to the engineering consultant your community utilizes, or even the state department of transportation for assistance.

There is often funding that is available for these improvements as well. The most common funding stream related to pedestrian safety is the Safe Routes to School Program that is available through state DOTs.

Pedestrian safety isn’t typically at the top of the priority list for many communities. That is, until something happens to send it to the top of the list.