Final Scope

Pedestrian safety has become a pressing issue due to a significant rise in pedestrian fatalities and injuries across the country. State DOTs have responded by implementing various safety measures, including infrastructure upgrades, technology integration, and public awareness campaigns. These efforts are customized to address the diverse challenges posed by different environments and facilities, such as urban intersections and rural roadways, and for all ages and abilities. The goal is not only to address current concerns but also to prioritize complete, pedestrian-friendly transportation networks.

The objective of this synthesis is to document state DOT practices for enhancing pedestrian safety. 

Information to be gathered includes (but is not limited to):

• Infrastructure improvements for pedestrian safety;
• Technologies deployed for pedestrian crossings and safety monitoring (e.g., design innovations, traffic signals improvements, safety cameras);
• Policies, regulations, and legislations considered or implemented to protect pedestrians;
• Public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives focused on pedestrian safety;
• Community engagement strategies and their roles in enhancing pedestrian safety;
• Speed management and Safe System initiatives to enhance pedestrian safety;
• Collaborative efforts between state DOTs and other agencies (e.g., local agencies, advocacy groups, research institutions, and other state organizations);
• Evaluation methods used by DOTs to assess pedestrian safety measures;
• Challenges faced in implementing pedestrian safety initiatives; and
• Additional initiatives for safety improvements that may be transferrable to pedestrian safety. 

Information will be gathered through a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs for the development of case examples. Information gaps and suggestions for research to address those gaps will be identified.

Information Sources (Partial): 

• Connecticut DOT. (2021). “Comprehensive Pedestrian Safety Strategy.” https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DOT/documents/dcommunications/Press_Release/Comprehensive-Pedestrian-Safety-Strategy-JanFeb-2021.pdf
• Maryland DOT. (2023). “Pedestrian Safety Action Plan.” https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/a4c07b80731b4a109a79bf6c86aad4c9
• NCHRP Legal Digest 83 "Guidelines for Drafting Liability Neutral Transportation Engineering Documents and Communication Strategies" (2020)
• TCRP Synthesis 169 (2023). Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety in Bus Rapid Transit and High-Priority Bus Corridors. Available online at: https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27007/pedestrian-and-bicycle-safety-in-bus-rapid-transit-and-high-priority-bus-corridors

TRB Staff
Arefeh Nasri
Phone: 202-334-2763
Email: anasri@nas.edu

Meeting Dates
First Panel Meeting: September 24, 2024, in-person meeting in Washington, DC
Teleconference with Consultant: October 21, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm EST via Zoom
Second Panel Meeting: June 4, 2025, in-person meeting in Washington, DC

Panel Members
Raymond J. Khoury, Virginia Department of Transportation
Bonnie S. Polin, Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Alazar Tesfaye, Colorado Department of Transportation
Jeremy Thompson, Ohio Department of Transportation
Ida Van Schalkwyk, Washington State Department of Transportation
Jiguang Zhao, Oregon Department of Transportation 
Tamara Redmon, FHWA Liaison