Traffic engineering approaches to improving pedestrian safety

Motor vehicle injury is one of the leading causes of death and disability i n motorized countries. The most vulnerable road users-pedestrians-are a con siderable share of those injured. Measures designed to reduce the frequency and severity of pedestrian injuries should receive high priority. Public e ducation and enforcement campaigns are often used to promote pedestrian saf ety but generally have not produced tangible and long-lasting benefits. Mor e effective and lasting safety improvements are associated with safety-orie nted planning, design, and operation of transportation facilities. This art icle reviews the international literature regarding urban traffic planning, transportation facility design, and traffic operations-the primary means t o ensure pedestrian safety. Innovative traffic control measures designed to increase pedestrian attention to potential danger and separate pedestrians and motor vehicles are emphasized.