Advancing Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety: A Primer for Highway Safety Professionals

Brookshire, Kristen; Sandt, Laura; Sundstrom, Carl; Thomas, Libby; Blomberg, Richard · 2016 · ROSA P / University of North Carolina (System). Highway Safety Research Center

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Summary

This primer, produced by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, addresses the growing need for comprehensive strategies to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety. The document responds to national trends where communities are promoting active transportation to meet health, equity, and mobility goals, yet pedestrians and bicyclists continue to account for a disproportionate share of traffic fatalities. The primary objective is to provide highway safety professionals with a reference for integrating infrastructure treatments, behavioral programs, and inter-agency collaboration to create safer environments for non-motorized users. The report synthesizes existing knowledge and best practices rather than presenting new empirical data. It structures its guidance around the “3 E” approach: Engineering, Education, and Enforcement. The authors review crash trends and indicators, noting that while total traffic fatalities have declined, pedestrian and bicyclist deaths have not decreased at an equivalent rate, comprising approximately 16% of all traffic fatalities in 2013. The text identifies common crash factors, including excessive motor vehicle speed, conflicts at crossing locations, inadequate conspicuity, poor compliance with traffic laws, and insufficient separation from traffic. To help practitioners identify local safety issues, the primer outlines methods for analyzing crash data, such as mapping geo-coded crashes and classifying crash types, and conducting road safety audits to proactively assess infrastructure risks. Key findings emphasize that effective safety improvements require a comprehensive, partner-driven approach that combines engineering changes with education and enforcement. The report highlights that engineering treatments, such as traffic calming measures and self-enforcing roadway designs, are critical for addressing speed and conflict issues, particularly because law enforcement alone cannot ensure constant compliance. It also notes the importance of considering exposure data alongside crash frequencies to accurately assess risk. The primer provides real-world examples of jurisdictions like Oregon, San Francisco, and Chicago using data-driven strategies to prioritize investments and implement systemic safety improvements. Additionally, it underscores the role of emerging trends like Complete Streets policies and Vision Zero initiatives in fostering a culture of safety that accommodates all roadway users. The significance of this work lies in its practical guidance for State Highway Safety Offices and local agencies to overcome traditional silos in safety planning. By detailing how to combine funding sources and collaborate with diverse partners, the primer supports the implementation of integrated safety programs. It concludes that a multi-faceted strategy, leveraging both environmental changes and behavior-change programs, is essential for reducing the high rates of pedestrian and bicyclist injuries and fatalities. The document serves as a foundational resource for professionals seeking to align safety efforts with broader transportation and public health goals.

Key finding

The document provides a structured framework and resource guide for implementing integrated pedestrian and bicyclist safety programs rather than reporting a specific empirical result.

Methodology

review

Provenance

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Topics

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• cyclist safety
• vru facing ehmi
• perceptual countermeasures
• vru conspicuity

Information type

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• Applied Guidance: countermeasure evaluation