Best practices for addressing pedestrian crashes on high-speed roadways.
-
2015-10-01
Details:
-
Creators:
-
Corporate Creators:
-
Corporate Contributors:
-
Subject/TRT Terms:
-
Publication/ Report Number:
-
Resource Type:
-
Geographical Coverage:
-
Corporate Publisher:
-
Abstract:Texas ranks as the worst state in the nation for interstate pedestrian fatalities. Almost 600 pedestrians died on
interstate roadways during the 5-year period between 2007 and 2011. Texas is the fourth-highest state in terms of
interstate pedestrian fatalities per 100 million interstate vehicle miles traveled. Few studies have been conducted to
investigate the causes and factors that contribute to pedestrian fatalities on very high-speed roadways.
For this study, the research team conducted a survey of 20 states to find out what they are doing or have done in terms
of engineering, education, enforcement, and evaluation to address pedestrian safety on controlled or limited access
urban interstate, freeway, and expressway main lanes where posted speed limits are 55 mph or higher. The design of
the survey was based on a literature review that identified factors that correlated with pedestrian fatality rates,
motivations for pedestrians entering high-speed roadways, and countermeasures that had been implemented to reduce
fatalities or protect pedestrians.
Survey respondents reported being aware of pedestrian safety concerns on the main lanes of high-speed, controlled-access highways. Eighty percent responded that there is a law or policy that prohibits pedestrian access on the
controlled-access highways in their states. Policies and practices aimed at unintended pedestrians were more
frequently cited than those addressing intentional pedestrians. The survey respondents highlighted existing practices
such as the construction of overpasses/underpasses, installation of fences along rights of way or medians, and use of
roadside assistance programs.
In the end, researchers discussed best practices, opportunities for future research, and recommendations for increasing
pedestrian safety on high-speed, controlled-access roadways.
-
Format:
-
Funding:
-
Collection(s):
-
Main Document Checksum:
-
File Type:
Supporting Files
-
No Additional Files
More +