Strategic approach to pedestrian safety

13 April 2015

This report available on the UK Knowledge Centre presents the results of a TRL review of the relevant technical literature to investigate how pedestrian behaviour might be influenced, in ways most acceptable to pedestrians and other road users, to reduce the number of casualties on London's roads.

The report concluded there are no simple universal solutions that would reduce pedestrian casualties in London, particularly because of the large numbers of pedestrians and high traffic flows on London's roads.

It suggests that the problem should be addressed at a strategic level and a hierarchical approach based on hot spots, but also aimed at systematically improving pedestrian safety.

Education is best targeted at a particular behaviour (e.g. speeding) or a particular group (e.g school children or older people).

Further research information is available on the Road Safety Observatory and the  good practice manual Pedestrian safety: a road safety manual for decision-makers and practitioners, jointly developed by WHO, the FIA Foundation, the Global Road Safety Partnership and the World Bank, and many experts from around the world, provides practical information on how to plan, implement and evaluate a pedestrian safety programme.