Pedestrian safety in Australia

Cairney, P. · 1999 · ROSA P / United States. Federal Highway Administration

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Summary

This report, prepared for the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, synthesizes pedestrian safety practices, crash data, and countermeasures in Australia. The study addresses the need to document international approaches to pedestrian safety, highlighting Australia’s unique federal structure where states manage road systems and local governments control 80% of the network. The research is motivated by Australia’s high urbanization and its role as a pioneer in traffic calming and specific pedestrian safety innovations. The methodology involves a comprehensive review of Australian crash databases, engineering standards, and safety programs. The authors analyze crash trends from 1989 to 1993, utilizing detailed crash classification systems (RUM Codes) employed in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. The report also draws on specific empirical studies, including a Victorian study comparing injured pedestrians with matched controls to identify risk factors, and cost-benefit analyses of crash types. It examines engineering guidelines such as the Australian Standard AS 1742.10 and the Austroads Guide to Traffic Engineering Practice, alongside educational and enforcement initiatives. Key findings indicate that pedestrian fatalities declined by 34% between 1989 and 1993, resulting in a national fatality rate of 1.84 per 100,000 persons, comparable to rates in Great Britain and mid-ranking U.S. states. Pedestrians accounted for 17% of road fatalities. Crash analysis reveals that the most common accident type involves pedestrians being struck on the near side of the carriageway (41–47% of crashes), followed by far-side strikes (25–30%). Alcohol is a significant causal factor, with pedestrians having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) greater than 0.15 facing 15 times the risk of injury compared to those with lower BACs. Vulnerable groups include children, particularly males aged 5–22, and the elderly, especially those over 68, who face extremely high fatality rates. The report notes that pedestrian crashes are costly, estimated at $A79,300 in metropolitan areas and $A148,800 in rural areas. The significance of the report lies in its documentation of Australian innovations that offer potential benefits for other jurisdictions. Australia is highlighted as a leader in Local Area Traffic Management and traffic calming measures, such as humps and roundabouts. The report identifies promising signal technologies, including Puffin crossings with infrared detectors and Pelican crossings with double-cycle operations. It also details multi-action programs like “Safe Routes to School,” which integrate education, route selection, and engineering, and the “Walk with Care” program for the elderly. The findings underscore the importance of engineering treatments and education over enforcement for pedestrian safety, providing a framework for improving pedestrian protection through targeted infrastructure and behavioral interventions.

Key finding

Pedestrian fatalities in Australia declined by 34 percent between 1989 and 1993, with near-side vehicle collisions accounting for approximately 40 to 47 percent of all pedestrian crashes across major states.

Methodology

review

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Topics

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• pedestrian behavior perception
• comparative international
• vru crash typology
• child pedestrian

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes