Pedestrians
|
Pedestrians form the second largest group of road casualties (after car occupants). They account for about 15% of the road fatalities in the European Union. The over-55 and under-12 age groups are those with the highest risk of becoming pedestrian casualties. In most countries, accidents involving pedestrians (apart from those resulting in fatal injuries) tend to be underreported [72].
|
Design principles and measures for improving pedestrian safety include [72]:
- Adequate capacity of pedestrian walking facilities in relation to pedestrian flows
- Smooth and non-slippery surfacing for comfortable walking
- Avoidance of steep gradients that may not be usable by elderly or disabled pedestrians
- Elimination of all obstacles likely to obstruct pedestrian routes
- Specific direction signing for pedestrians, particularly on the links of the network segregated from motor traffic
- Reduction of vehicle speed on links of the network with mixed traffic (residential, commercial or historical streets)
- Adequate lighting
- Clearance of snow, ice or dead leaves from pedestrian walking facilities as soon as needed
- Repair of holes and otherwise damaged surfacing as soon as needed
- Reduced risk for pedestrians when crossing in the right place (design must ensure that vehicle users behave as expected)
- Local continuity of walking route and reduced physical effort
- Reduced waiting time and long enough gaps in traffic for safe crossing (traffic light management); conflict-free crossing at traffic lights
- Adequate mutual visibility of pedestrians and drivers on the approaches to the crossing
- Possibility of crossing safely all along links with particular specifications (commercial streets, leisure or residential areas): reduced width of carriageway to cross or reduced speed of vehicles
- Keep the crossing facilities in good repair (especially markings)
- Keep the approaches to the crossing clear of obstacles
|
